The terrorism trial of Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish national and self-acclaimed Biafran agitator, began on Friday in Finland, following charges filed by the country’s deputy prosecutor general on May 16.
Ekpa, who leads a faction of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is accused of public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent and participation in a terrorist group. His prosecution follows his arrest in November 2024 at the request of the Nigerian government.
Appearing before the Päijät-Häme District Court, Ekpa faced allegations of using social media to incite violence and destabilize the South-east region of Nigeria in pursuit of his Biafra secessionist agenda. Finnish authorities say his online actions and communications may fall under the definition of terrorism in the country’s legal framework.
State prosecutor Sampsa Hakala stated, “We have a great deal of evidence regarding this individual’s online activity and communications,” as prosecutors seek a six-year prison sentence.
Ekpa, during interrogations, denied all allegations, including claims that he ordered weapons for pro-Biafra groups.
What you should know
Simon Ekpa is currently standing trial in Finland for terrorism-related offences linked to his pro-Biafra activities. He denies the allegations, but Finnish prosecutors are pushing for a six-year sentence based on evidence of his online incitements.
