Simon Ekpa Faces Terrorism Trial in Finnish Court

iNewsAfrica | International Bureau | May 31, 2025

Simon Ekpa, a pro-Biafra agitator based in Finland, has appeared before a Finnish court to answer terrorism-related charges linked to his separatist activities targeting Nigeria. Prosecutors are seeking a six-year prison sentence in a case that’s drawing global attention.

• Who: Simon Ekpa, Nigerian-born Finnish resident and Biafra campaigner

• Where: Päijät-Häme District Court, Finland

• Charges: Incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent, participation in a terrorist organization, and aggravated tax fraud

• Sentence Sought: Six years imprisonment

• Defense: Denies all allegations; questions credibility of Nigerian-sourced evidence

• Status: Trial ongoing

LAHTI, FINLAND — Simon Ekpa, a polarizing figure in Nigeria’s separatist politics and a resident of Finland, has appeared before the Päijät-Häme District Court to face charges of terrorism-related activities linked to his alleged leadership in the Biafra independence movement.

Finnish prosecutors accuse Ekpa of using his online platforms to incite violence and coordinate acts of civil disobedience in Nigeria, particularly in the southeastern region where the push for an independent Biafran state remains tense and bloody.

According to state prosecutor Sampsa Hakala, “We have substantial digital evidence linking the defendant to acts and directives intended to destabilize Nigeria.” The Finnish government considers these actions potentially prosecutable under its terrorism statutes, especially due to the cross-border nature of incitement.

Ekpa, who once served on the Lahti City Council, has denied the charges through his attorney Kaarle Gummerus. He questioned the reliability of Nigerian-sourced intelligence and media reports, stressing that “much of what’s being alleged is politically motivated.”

In addition to terrorism charges, Ekpa is also being investigated for aggravated tax fraud, further complicating his legal troubles in Finland.

Ekpa’s arrest in November 2024 sent ripples through Nigeria, where federal authorities have long accused him of inciting deadly unrest by ordering sit-at-home campaigns and calling for violent resistance against the Nigerian state—all from the safety of his Finnish base.

Though four others arrested with Ekpa were released due to insufficient evidence, Finnish prosecutors maintained that Ekpa’s role was central and direct. They are now pressing for a six-year custodial sentence.

The outcome of the trial could have profound implications not only for separatist movements abroad but also for diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Finland.

As the case continues, many are watching closely: Will Finland deliver a judgment that upholds its laws on foreign-linked terrorism, or will the court be swayed by arguments of political persecution?

Follow iNewsAfrica for continuing coverage of Simon Ekpa’s trial and its ripple effects on international justice.