Simon Ekpa held in prison where killers and rapists are remanded

Simon Ekpa, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, is being held at Kylmäkoski vankila, one of Finland’s most secure prisons. 

Finnish authorities arrested Ekpa alongside four others on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and terrorism financing.

Kylmäkoski vankila is a high-security prison in Vanhamaantie, Akaa, Finland. Known for housing some of the country’s most dangerous criminals, the facility was featured in the 2023 Netflix documentary Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons. It accommodates 113 inmates, including violent offenders and those convicted of sex crimes, under stringent conditions.

The Finnish police allege that Ekpa used social media platforms to promote violence in Nigeria’s South-East region, targeting both civilians and authorities. Finnish local publication Yle confirmed that the Päijät-Häme District Court remanded Ekpa on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent. The Finnish government also froze the assets of Ekpa, as well as those of companies associated with him and his accomplices.

Responding to Saturday PUNCH inquiries, Mika Ojamies, Head of International Communications at Yle, confirmed that Ekpa is being held in Kylmäkoski prison. The facility’s strict regime includes locked cell doors during specified times, limited communication with visitors, and rules against taking notes or transmitting written messages without staff approval. Inmates are also forbidden from touching visitors during meetings, with violations resulting in disciplinary actions.

The Netflix documentary on Kylmäkoski provided a glimpse into the lives of inmates, including those with histories of violent crimes, such as murder and assault. The prison’s notorious “lizard wing” houses the most dangerous inmates, including sex offenders and informants, who are often targeted by other inmates. Drug use and smuggling are also persistent issues, with many inmates arriving with severe substance abuse problems.

Unlike Finland’s open prisons, where inmates can work, take vacations, and hold keys to their rooms, Kylmäkoski enforces strict restrictions. The closed-unit facility prioritizes security, with prisoners confined to their cells or designated areas during daily schedules. Power dynamics within the prison often revolve around the possession of drugs, with the inmate controlling the most narcotics becoming the “king” of the prison.

Ekpa’s remand is part of Finland’s criminal procedure, which allows for the restriction of movement for individuals suspected of severe offenses. Finnish legal documents obtained by Saturday PUNCH clarified that remand imprisonment is not a punishment but a measure to ensure the suspect does not interfere with investigations or continue criminal activities.

According to a senior detective superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, Mikko Laaksonen, Ekpa was denied bail due to the severity of the charges against him. “Our procedure is based on the case, remand, or travel ban as coercive measures for limiting freedom of movement for persons suspected of offenses to which such measures are applicable,” Laaksonen explained.

Ekpa is scheduled to face trial in May 2025. If convicted, his status as a remand prisoner will shift to that of a convict, with his prison sentence commencing immediately upon judgment.

Kylmäkoski prison’s history includes several notable incidents, such as inmates smuggling drugs and a former female guard being dismissed for engaging in inappropriate relationships with male prisoners. These challenges highlight the complexities of managing a high-security facility designed to house Finland’s most dangerous individuals.