The Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland has sentenced Simon Ekpa to six years in prison after finding him guilty of terrorism-related offences.
The court held that Ekpa, a prominent figure in the Biafran separatist movement, actively participated in a terrorist organisation and publicly incited violent crimes for terrorist purposes. His activities, according to the verdict, were tied to efforts aimed at re-establishing the short-lived Republic of Biafra in southeastern Nigeria, which existed briefly in the late 1960s.
Between August 2021 and November 2024, Ekpa was said to have used his large social media following to heighten tensions in the region. Judges ruled that he provided support for armed groups seeking Biafran independence, including weapons, explosives, and ammunition, while also encouraging his online followers on platform X to commit crimes in Nigeria.
A long-time resident of Lahti and former local councillor, Ekpa reportedly coordinated these activities from Finland, giving the district court jurisdiction over the case. Alongside the terrorism charges, he was also convicted of aggravated tax fraud.
Ekpa, who was born in Biafra and relocated to Finland in 2007 as an athlete, denied all charges during trial. His legal team is expected to challenge the ruling, as the judgment is not yet final and can be appealed to a higher court.
