In a landmark ruling, the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland has sentenced Simon Ekpa, a dual Finnish-Nigerian national and prominent pro-Biafra agitator, to six years in prison on terrorism-related charges.
Ekpa, who styled himself as the “Prime Minister” of the self-proclaimed Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), was convicted of inciting terrorism, participating in a terrorist organization, and disseminating terrorist propaganda between 2021 and 2024.
The court found that Ekpa used his extensive social media following to promote violence and unrest in southeastern Nigeria, encouraging followers to commit crimes and supporting armed groups with weapons and explosives. His activities were coordinated from Lahti, Finland, where he has resided since 2007.
Finnish authorities launched a comprehensive investigation in collaboration with Nigerian officials, leading to Ekpa’s arrest in November 2024. During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence of his involvement in violent campaigns, including “sit-at-home” orders and attacks on law enforcement in Nigeria.
In addition to terrorism charges, Ekpa was also convicted of aggravated tax fraud. The court emphasized that the crimes, though committed remotely, fell under Finnish jurisdiction due to his residency and digital footprint.