Finland Freezes Simon Ekpa’s Assets, Detained In Notorious Kylmäkoski Prison

Helsinki, Finland-  Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, is currently held at Kylmäkoski vankila, one of Finland’s most secure prisons.

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

Kylmäkoski vankila, located in Akaa, Finland, is renowned for its stringent security measures and has been featured in the Netflix documentary Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons.

The facility houses 113 inmates, including violent offenders and sex crime convicts.

According to the Finnish police, Ekpa allegedly used social media platforms to incite violence in Nigeria’s South-East region, targeting civilians and law enforcement.

The Päijät-Häme District Court confirmed his remand on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.

Authorities also froze Ekpa’s assets and those of companies linked to him and his accomplices.

Punch reports that Mika Ojamies, Head of International Communications at Yle, confirmed that Simon Ekpa is being detained at Kylmäkoski prison, a high-security facility in Finland.

Known for its strict regime, the prison enforces locked cell doors during specified hours, limits communication with visitors, and prohibits inmates from taking notes or transmitting written messages without prior staff approval.

Physical contact with visitors is also banned, with violations leading to disciplinary actions.

A Netflix documentary on Kylmäkoski offered insight into the lives of inmates, including those convicted of violent crimes such as murder and assault.

The prison’s infamous “lizard wing” houses the most dangerous individuals, including sex offenders and informants, who are often targeted by fellow inmates.

Persistent drug smuggling and widespread substance abuse problems further complicate prison dynamics, with many inmates arriving addicted to drugs.

Unlike Finland’s open prisons, where inmates can work, take vacations, and retain keys to their rooms, Kylmäkoski operates under strict security protocols.

Prisoners are confined to their cells or designated areas according to a rigid schedule. Control over drugs within the prison often determines the power hierarchy, with the individual controlling the most narcotics earning the unofficial title of “prison king.”

Ekpa’s detention falls under Finland’s criminal procedure for suspects of serious offenses.

The reviewed legal documents reveal that remand imprisonment in Finland is not a punitive measure but aims to prevent suspects from interfering with investigations or engaging in further criminal activities.

Mikko Laaksonen, a senior detective superintendent with Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, explained that Ekpa was denied bail due to the severity of the charges against him.

“Our procedure employs remand or travel bans as coercive measures to limit the freedom of movement for suspects in applicable cases,” Laaksonen stated.

Ekpa is set to stand trial in May 2025. If convicted, his status as a remand prisoner will transition to that of a convict, with his prison sentence beginning immediately upon judgment.

Kylmäkoski prison has a history of notable incidents, including drug smuggling and a former female guard being dismissed for inappropriate relationships with inmates.