Terrorism: Finland’s court sentences Nigerian Simon Ekpa to 6 years in prison

*Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland has found Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian and leading pro-Biafran agitator, guilty of inciting terrorism and participating in the activities of a terrorist group in the West African country

Emmanuel Akosile | ConsumerConnect

The Päijät-Häme Finnish court Monday, September 1, 2025, found Nigerian national Simon Ekpa, a leading pro-Biafran agitator, guilty of inciting terrorism and participating in the activities of a terrorist group in the West African country.

The District Court said Ekpa had used his “significant social media following” to stoke tensions in the South-East region of Nigeria between August 2021 and November 2024, leading deaths of several people, a Finnish newspaper Yle reported Monday.

The local publication also disclosed the court convicted the pro-Biafran agitator of aggravated tax fraud.

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The three-member panel of judges, in a unanimous ruling, had stated that Ekpa was an influential member of a militant separatist movement whose goal was to actualise the secession of a Biafran state from Nigeria.

It is noted that Ekpa moved to Finland 2007 as an athlete from Nigeria.

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Reacting to the development Monday, the Federal Government of Nigeeria described Ekpa’s conviction for terrorism-related offences and other charges by a Finnish Court as “a major victory” against terrorism in the country and worldwide.

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Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Honourable Minister for Information and National Orientation, stated this while commenting  on Ekpa’s sentencing to six years in prison by the District Court in Finland.

The MInister also wrote via his officla X account: “We welcome the news of Simon Ekpa’s conviction by a Finnish court for terrorism-related crimes and his sentencing to six years in prison. A major victory for the Nigerian people in the collective fight against terror.”

According to Yle Newspaper, the district court as well stated that Ekpa supplied the terrorist groups with “weapons, explosives, and ammunition” through his network of contacts in the region.

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He was also found to have encouraged his followers on the social media platform X to “commit crimes” in Nigeria over the years.

A long-term resident of Lahti and one-time local councillor, Ekpa reportedly committed the crimes from the Finnish city, according to the verdict, giving the Finnish court jurisdiction in the case.

Earlier, the Nigerian had denied all the charges preferred against him in the Finnish court.

However, the district court’s verdict is not final, as it can be appealed to a higher court, according to report.

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