Helsinki, Finland – A court in Finland has sentenced Nigerian-born political activist Simon Ekpa to six years in prison for a series of crimes, including terrorism-related offences and aggravated tax fraud. The Päijät-Häme District Court ordered the 40-year-old, a former municipal politician, to remain in custody following the verdict.
According to official court documents, Ekpa was convicted on multiple charges, including participation in a terrorist organisation, incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes, and violations of the Lawyers Act.
The court found that between August 2021 and November 2024, Ekpa used social media to promote the independence of the Biafra region in southeastern Nigeria through illegal means. He was instrumental in founding and developing a key separatist movement, which the court classified as a terrorist organisation, along with other individuals.
The judgement stated that Ekpa “equipped the groups with weapons, explosives and ammunition through his contact network” and “urged and enticed his followers on X (formerly Twitter) to commit crimes in Nigeria.”
Ekpa, who denied all charges against him, was initially arrested in December 2024. The trial was held over 12 sessions between May and June 2025. The court confirmed that charges against four other men arrested in connection with the case were dropped due to insufficient evidence.
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