The Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland has sentenced Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, to six years in prison after finding him guilty of terrorism-related offences, aggravated tax fraud, and breaches of the Attorneys Act.
The court determined that between August 2021 and November 2024, Mr Ekpa provided armed groups in south-eastern Nigeria with weapons, explosives, and ammunition through his network, in pursuit of Biafra’s independence by unlawful means.
Judges ruled that his actions amounted to participation in a terrorist organisation as well as public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent.
Prosecutors presented evidence showing that Mr Ekpa used social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), to spread messages encouraging violence in Nigeria’s southeast.
His posts, often written in the first person and featuring his name and images, were found to directly fuel unrest in the region.
The court dismissed his defence that he was not personally responsible for the publications.
In addition to terrorism charges, Mr Ekpa was convicted of aggravated tax fraud and professional misconduct under Finland’s Attorneys Act. The court held that his financial improprieties further weakened his credibility and legal standing.
The judgment also noted that Mr Ekpa played a key role in organising separatist groups in Nigeria, transforming them into more structured armed units, which were officially designated as terrorist organisations.
His influence, both online and through direct support, was found to have strengthened the movement’s violent capacity.
The sentence, reported by Finnish newspaper Yle, is not yet final and can be appealed at the Court of Appeal.
Editing by Tony Okerafor and Ibrahim Ibrahim
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