Convicted self-proclaimed Biafra Prime Minister, Simon Ekpa
Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland has imposed a six-year prison sentence on Simon Ekpa, a prominent advocate for Biafran independence, for terrorism-related crimes.
On Monday, the court unanimously convicted Ekpa of inciting terrorism and engaging in activities linked to a terrorist organization, according to Finnish news outlet Yle.
The judges determined that between August 2021 and November 2024, Ekpa leveraged his “substantial social media presence” to inflame unrest in Nigeria’s South-East region.
Yle reported that the court also found Ekpa guilty of aggravated tax fraud.
The ruling highlighted his role as a key figure in a militant separatist movement aiming to establish a Biafran state, noting that he facilitated the supply of “weapons, explosives, and ammunition” through his regional network.
Additionally, the court stated that Ekpa used the social media platform X to urge his followers to “carry out criminal acts” in Nigeria.
Ekpa, a long-time resident of Lahti and former local councillor, allegedly orchestrated these activities from Finland, granting the Finnish court jurisdiction. Despite his denial of all charges, the three-judge panel delivered a unanimous guilty verdict.
The decision is subject to appeal and may be reviewed by a higher court.
