Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and self-appointed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, is currently detained at Kylmäkoski Vankila, one of Finland’s most secure prisons.
Ekpa was arrested by Finnish authorities alongside four others on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and financing terrorism.
Kylmäkoski Vankila, located in Vanhamaantie, Akaa, Finland, is a high-security facility renowned for housing some of the country’s most dangerous criminals. Featured in the 2023 Netflix documentary Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons, the facility accommodates 113 inmates under stringent conditions, including those convicted of violent offences and sex crimes.
Finnish police allege that Ekpa used social media platforms to incite violence in Nigeria’s South-East region, targeting both civilians and authorities. Local publication Yle reported that the Päijät-Häme District Court remanded Ekpa on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent. Additionally, the Finnish government has frozen Ekpa’s assets, along with those of companies linked to him and his alleged accomplices.
Responding to inquiries from Saturday PUNCH, Mika Ojamies, Head of International Communications at Yle, confirmed that Ekpa is being held at Kylmäkoski. The prison enforces strict protocols, including locked cell doors during designated hours, limited visitor communication, and a prohibition on transmitting notes or messages without staff approval. Inmates are also barred from physical contact with visitors, with violations resulting in disciplinary action.
The Netflix documentary provided insights into life at Kylmäkoski, showcasing inmates convicted of violent crimes, including murder and assault. The facility’s notorious “lizard wing” houses its most dangerous inmates, such as sex offenders and informants, who are at heightened risk of being targeted by other prisoners. Drug smuggling and substance abuse remain persistent challenges, with many inmates battling severe addiction upon arrival.
Unlike Finland’s open prisons, which offer more freedoms such as work opportunities and personal room keys, Kylmäkoski prioritises security with stricter confinement rules. Inmates’ daily lives revolve around rigid schedules, and power dynamics often hinge on drug possession, with the inmate controlling the most narcotics typically becoming the “king” of the prison.
Ekpa’s detention is part of Finland’s legal procedure, which permits the restriction of movement for individuals suspected of serious crimes. Documents obtained by Saturday PUNCH clarify that remand imprisonment is a preventive measure, not a punishment, intended to ensure suspects do not interfere with investigations or continue criminal activities.
Mikko Laaksonen, a senior detective superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, explained that Ekpa was denied bail due to the gravity of the charges. “Our procedure involves remand or travel bans as coercive measures for limiting the freedom of individuals suspected of offences where such actions are warranted,” Laaksonen stated.
Ekpa’s trial is scheduled for May 2025. If found guilty, his status will shift from a remand prisoner to a convict, with his sentence commencing immediately after the verdict.
Kylmäkoski prison has faced its own share of controversies, including incidents of drug smuggling and a female guard’s dismissal for inappropriate relationships with male inmates. These issues underscore the complexities of managing a facility designed to house Finland’s most dangerous offenders.
