The Päijät-Häme District Court has sentenced Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian-born Finnish national, to six years in prison for terrorism-related crimes and other offences. The 40-year-old former municipal politician from Lahti was convicted on multiple charges, including participation in a terrorist organization and incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes.
The court found that between August 2021 and November 2024, Ekpa promoted the independence of the so-called Biafra region in southeastern Nigeria through illegal means, leveraging social media to gain political influence within a key separatist movement. His actions included establishing and arming groups classified as terrorist organizations.
Despite Ekpa’s denial of all charges, the court concluded that he played a significant role in the movement’s development and encouraged followers to commit crimes in Nigeria. The trial, held over 12 sessions, resulted in a unanimous verdict from a panel of three judges.
Ekpa was arrested in December 2024 amid allegations of publicly inciting people to commit crimes with terrorist intent. While other men were initially arrested in connection with the case, charges against them were dropped due to insufficient evidence. Ekpa’s online activities have drawn both support and condemnation, highlighting his controversial role in the Biafran separatist movement.
