Controversial Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa is locked up in Kylmäkoski Prison, one of Finland’s toughest jails.
Located in Akaa, the high-security prison houses dangerous criminals, including killers and sex offenders.
Ekpa, who calls himself the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, was arrested along with four others.
Finnish authorities accused him of using social media to encourage violence in Nigeria’s South-East and funding terror activities.
His assets, along with those of his alleged accomplices, have been frozen.
The Päijät-Häme District Court placed Ekpa in custody and denied him bail.
Finnish law allows suspects to be held during investigations to prevent further crimes or escape.
His trial is set for May 2025.
As a remand prisoner, Ekpa is kept under tight security with limited freedom, typical of Finland’s high-security closed prisons.
Prisoners in Kylmäkoski are confined to their cells according to a strict daily schedule, with movement and interactions heavily regulated.
Built in 1993, the prison holds 113 inmates, including those accused of violent crimes.
It was featured in a Netflix series, showing its harsh conditions and inmates’ stories of crime and regret.
Inside the prison, drugs are a major problem. Many prisoners arrive with addictions, and some smuggle in substances like cocaine and Subutex.
Power among inmates often depends on who controls the drugs.
Ekpa is held alongside other inmates convicted or accused of serious crimes, such as murder and sexual offenses.
The prison’s conditions are designed to minimize risks, meaning Ekpa likely has minimal contact with other prisoners and restricted access to outside communication.
Visitors are closely monitored, and physical contact is not allowed during meetings.
Additionally, remand prisoners like Ekpa are not allowed to participate in activities outside the prison.
It is also likely that he is being closely observed, given the global attention surrounding his case and the severity of the allegations against him.
While his physical and mental state has not been officially reported, the strict environment of Kylmäkoski, combined with the nature of his detention, reveals he is going through a challenging and isolated experience.