A Finnish court has sentenced Nigerian-born politician and separatist agitator, Simon Ekpa, to six years in prison after finding him guilty of terrorism-related offences and other crimes.
The judgment, delivered on Monday, September 1, 2025, by the Päijät-Häme District Court, followed a trial that lasted 12 sessions between May 30 and June 25. Ekpa, 40, was convicted on several counts, including participation in the activities of a terrorist organisation, incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes, aggravated tax fraud, and violations of Finland’s Lawyers Act.
According to court documents, Ekpa used his influential social media platforms to incite violence and promote separatist activities in Nigeria’s southeast under the banner of the Biafran movement. The court ruled that between August 2021 and November 2024, he exploited internal divisions within the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to position himself as a key figure and helped establish armed groups classified as terrorist organisations.
“Ekpa not only incited crimes but also facilitated the supply of weapons, explosives, and ammunition to militant groups through his network of contacts,” the court statement read. It added that his online broadcasts played a significant role in encouraging violent actions in Nigeria.
Ekpa, who once served as a municipal councillor in Lahti, Finland, denied all charges against him. His lawyers argued that his actions were protected under free speech and political activism. However, the court maintained that his activities went beyond lawful political expression and directly supported terrorist objectives.
The separatist figure was arrested by Finnish authorities in December 2024 on suspicion of publicly inciting people to commit crimes with terrorist intent. While four other men were initially arrested in connection with the case, charges against them were later dropped due to a lack of evidence.
Ekpa has been a polarising figure both in Nigeria and abroad, gaining notoriety for his online calls for sit-at-home orders in the southeast region of Nigeria, which often turned violent. His sentencing marks one of the most high-profile cases in Finland involving terrorism with international links. The court also ruled that Ekpa remain in custody to serve his sentence.
