A District Court in Finland has sentenced Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Government in Exile, to six years in prison for terrorism-related crimes.
Ekpa, who has been a vocal figure on social media, was arrested on November 21, 2024, by Finnish authorities after months of investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). He was accused of using his online platforms to incite violence and terrorism, actions believed to have fueled unrest in Nigeria’s South-East region.
The Päijät-Häme District Court ruled that Ekpa’s activities amounted to “public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.” The offenses were said to have occurred between August 2021 and November 2024, a period during which violent attacks and killings linked to separatist agitations were recorded in southeastern Nigeria.
Following his arrest, Finnish authorities also froze Ekpa’s bank accounts, assets, and those of his associates and companies allegedly tied to the funding of violent campaigns. The NBI said this move was necessary to cut off financial support for activities linked to terrorism.
Ekpa had previously dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, maintaining that his advocacy for Biafra was rooted in the right to self-determination. However, prosecutors argued that his statements and directives on social media directly encouraged violent actions, including sit-at-home orders that paralyzed economic activities in parts of the South-East.
The ruling marks a significant step in Finland’s cooperation with international partners on counterterrorism. Nigerian authorities have repeatedly accused Ekpa of masterminding insecurity in the South-East from abroad, and his conviction is expected to spark renewed debates on transnational accountability in separatist movements.