by Willy Okonji Lagos-
A Finnish court has sentenced Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Government in Exile, to six years in prison over terrorism-related activities.
In its judgment, the Päijät-Häme District Court ruled that Ekpa had “participated in a terrorist organisation” and “publicly incited crimes for terrorist purposes.”
The court found that between August 2021 and November 2024, Ekpa exploited his large social media following to fuel unrest in Nigeria’s southeast. “Mr. Ekpa was an influential member of a separatist movement that promoted violence,” the court stated. “He provided support, including weapons, explosives, and ammunition, to armed groups seeking to achieve Biafran independence by force.”
Prosecutors told the court that Ekpa urged his followers on the social media platform X to commit crimes in Nigeria. “His rhetoric was not just speech—it translated into real-world violence that destabilised communities,” one prosecutor said.
Finnish authorities arrested Ekpa on November 21, 2024, after an investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Officials said his activities had “contributed directly to insecurity in southeastern Nigeria.”
“Public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent cannot be tolerated under Finnish law,” the NBI declared following the verdict.
As part of the probe, the NBI also froze Ekpa’s assets, along with those of his associates and linked companies.
Ekpa has not yet indicated whether he will appeal the ruling.
