Name: Simon Ekpa
Nationality: Nigerian-born, naturalized Finnish citizen
Occupation: Lawyer, former municipal councillor in Lahti, Finland; self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafran Republic Government in Exile
Date of Sentence: Monday, September 1, 2025
Court: Päijät-Häme District Court, Finland
Sentence: Six years in prison
1. Conviction and Sentence
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Simon Ekpa was sentenced to six years in prison for terrorism-related offences and other crimes. Charges include:
• Participation in a terrorist organisation
• Incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes
• Aggravated tax fraud
• Violations of the Lawyers Act
Timeline of Activities: Between August 2021 and November 2024, Ekpa promoted Biafra independence using illegal methods.
Court Findings: Ekpa leveraged his “significant social media following” to escalate tensions in Nigeria’s southeast, allegedly equipping groups with weapons, explosives, and ammunition, and urging followers to commit crimes.
Prosecutor Statement: “We have a great deal of evidence regarding this individual’s online activity and communications,” said Sampsa Hakala.
2. Links to Terrorist Organisation
• Ekpa was found to be connected with armed groups under the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), designated a terrorist organisation by Nigeria in 2017.
• IPOB campaigns for secession of Nigeria’s southeast, predominantly Igbo regions.
• Court documents revealed that Ekpa used social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), to encourage crimes in Nigeria.
• Finnish authorities treated his online activism as active promotion of terrorism.
3. From Politician to Prisoner
• Ekpa was a municipal councillor in Lahti and trained lawyer before rising to prominence as a Biafra separatist leader.
• Self-styled Prime Minister of the Biafran Republic Government in Exile, he gained influence in IPOB after the arrest of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, in 2021.
• Court noted he exploited his social media influence to gain a politically powerful position within IPOB.
4. Collaboration Between Finland and Nigeria
• Ekpa’s case involved joint monitoring and investigation by Finnish and Nigerian authorities.
• Arrested in December 2024, following months of surveillance.
• Nigerian authorities had accused him of issuing violent “sit-at-home” orders in southeast Nigeria, which sometimes led to armed enforcement.
• Finnish police stated that online activities coordinated from Finland could constitute terrorism under Finnish law.
5. Additional Charges Beyond Terrorism
• Convictions included aggravated tax fraud and breaches of the Lawyers Act, indicating misuse of professional position.
• Four others suspected of financing his operations were initially arrested, but charges were dropped due to lack of evidence.
• The trial spanned 12 sessions from May 30 to June 25, 2025, ending in unanimous conviction.
6. Denial and Legacy
• Ekpa has denied all wrongdoing, claiming accusations were politically motivated and information from Nigeria unreliable.
• Lawyer Kaarle Gummerus emphasized caution with Nigerian-sourced evidence.
• Despite his denials, his conviction has significantly tarnished his reputation.
• Once considered by supporters as a freedom fighter for Biafra, he is now legally categorized as a terrorist supporter.
7. Context and Significance
• The case highlights the legal responsibilities of diaspora figures, especially regarding online incitement of violence.
• Marks a key precedent in international cooperation on terrorism, demonstrating that foreign activism can have legal consequences under national laws.
• Raises broader questions about separatism, online extremism, and accountability for actions coordinated across borders.
