The Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland has sentenced Nigerian-born Finnish politician and activist, Simon Ekpa, to six years in prison for terrorism-related crimes and other offences. Official court documents obtained by BBC News Pidgin on Monday confirmed the ruling.
The 40-year-old former Lahti municipal councillor was found guilty of participating in the activities of a terrorist organisation, incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes, aggravated tax fraud, and violations of the Lawyers Act. The court also ordered that Ekpa remain in custody.
According to the judgment, between August 2021 and November 2024, Ekpa sought to advance the independence of the so-called Biafra region in southeastern Nigeria through illegal and violent means.
“He used social media to gain a politically influential position and exploited confusion within a key separatist movement in Nigeria to assume a significant role,” the court noted.
Terror-Linked Activities Exposed
During the trial, evidence revealed that Ekpa played a central role in reorganising the Biafran separatist movement into a more structured and coordinated outfit. The court further disclosed that armed groups were formed under his influence, with activities classified as terrorism.
“Ekpa equipped the groups with weapons, explosives, and ammunition through his contact network. He also incited his followers on X (formerly Twitter) to commit crimes in Nigeria,” the ruling stated.
The trial, which spanned 12 sessions between May 30 and June 25, 2025, ended with a unanimous verdict delivered by three judges.
Ekpa denied all charges, maintaining his innocence throughout the proceedings.
Finnish authorities first arrested Ekpa in December 2024 on suspicion of publicly inciting terrorist acts and other related crimes. The offences were said to have taken place between August 23, 2021, and November 2024, largely in Lahti.
The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation initially detained four other men linked to the case. However, charges against them were dropped for lack of sufficient evidence.
Simon Ekpa, who once served as a councillor in Lahti, is widely known for his controversial role in the Biafran separatist movement. His online broadcasts and frequent social media posts gained significant traction, drawing both support and strong criticism within Nigeria and among the diaspora.
Despite his conviction, Ekpa remains a polarising figure, with some of his supporters viewing him as a freedom fighter, while others see him as a destabilising force fueling violence.
This latest ruling marks a major development in Finland’s crackdown on terrorism-related activities linked to foreign separatist movements.
A Finnish court has sentenced Nigerian-born activist Simon Ekpa to six years in prison for terrorism-related offences, including incitement, arms supply, and tax fraud.
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