Nigerian controversial figure and self-declared leader of the Biafra Republic Government leader Simon Ekpa appeared before the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland on Friday, May 30, 2025, as Finnish authorities officially commenced his terrorism trial.
The proceedings mark a pivotal action in the Finnish government’s response to alleged terror-linked activities conducted from within its borders but with far-reaching consequences in Nigeria.
Ekpa, a dual citizen of Finland and Nigeria, was initially arrested in November 2024 on suspicion of terrorism-related offenses. The charges against him include incitement to violence, financing of terrorism, and activities deemed to undermine public safety and order.
According to the Finnish government, his actions were allegedly tied to the ongoing separatist movement in Nigeria’s South-east region, where he is accused of using social media platforms to incite violence and fuel unrest as part of his campaign for Biafran independence.
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Prosecutors argue that Ekpa’s online activities and communications amount to terrorism under Finnish law. They are seeking a six-year prison sentence, citing extensive digital evidence.
“We have a great deal of evidence regarding this individual’s online activity and communications,” stated state prosecutor Sampsa Hakala. The prosecution contends that Ekpa’s inflammatory rhetoric and financial support contributed to the destabilization of the South-east region in Nigeria.
In his defense, Ekpa denied allegations that he had ordered weapons or provided direct support to armed pro-Biafra groups. During preliminary interrogations, he dismissed all charges of violence and terrorism financing, maintaining that his activism was peaceful and politically motivated.
Ekpa is widely known for his affiliation with a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a secessionist organization pushing for the independence of Nigeria’s Igbo-dominated southeast.
The region historically suffered a devastating civil war between 1967 and 1970, following the declaration of the short-lived Republic of Biafra. Although IPOB has been labeled a terrorist organization by the Nigerian government, it continues to enjoy support from parts of the diaspora and local sympathizers.
In addition to his separatist involvement, Simon Ekpa has played an active role in Finnish local politics. He previously served as a representative of Finland’s conservative National Coalition Party in the city of Lahti, where he was a member of the city’s public transport committee.
His dual roles—as a political figure in Finland and a polarizing activist abroad—have drawn international attention and raised questions about how democratic societies should handle foreign political agitation carried out from within their borders.
The case continues to unfold, with observers both in Finland and Nigeria closely monitoring its outcome due to its potential political and diplomatic implications.