The Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland has sentenced Simon Ekpa, a self-styled Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, to six years in prison after finding him guilty of terrorism-related offences.
In its ruling delivered on Monday, the court held that Ekpa, a long-term resident of Lahti and former city councillor, participated in a terrorist organisation and publicly incited crimes for terrorist purposes.
According to the verdict, “The accused was an influential member of a separatist movement which established armed groups with the aim of securing Biafra’s independence through force.”
The charges against him stemmed from alleged involvement in separatist activities linked to southeastern Nigeria.
The court found that between August 2021 and November 2024, Ekpa used his large social media following to promote violence and encourage unrest in the South East.
Investigators told the court that he facilitated the supply of weapons, ammunition and explosives to armed groups through contacts in Nigeria. He was also found guilty of using the social media platform X to incite followers to commit crimes.
Ekpa, who was born in Nigeria and relocated to Finland in 2007, denied all charges during the trial.
He was arrested on 21 November 2024 following an investigation by the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which also froze his assets and those of his associates. He was further convicted of aggravated tax fraud.
The court maintained jurisdiction over the matter since the offences were committed while he resided in Finland. Its judgment, however, is not final and may be appealed.
His conviction comes as Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), remains in detention in Nigeria facing terrorism charges.
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