A Finnish court has sentenced Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based political activist and leader of a faction associated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to six years in prison. The verdict, handed down by the Päijät-Häme District Court, includes convictions for terrorism-related offenses, aggravated tax fraud, and violations of the Lawyers Act.
The court found that between August 2021 and November 2024, Ekpa used his social media influence to incite public support for separatist violence and to facilitate the supply of weapons, explosives, and ammunition to armed groups pushing for Biafran independence.
The Nigerian government, including the Minister of Information and National Orientation, has welcomed the sentencing as a major victory in the fight against terrorism. Similarly, the Chief of Defence Staff hailed the verdict as a powerful message that there is no safe haven for those promoting terror while residing abroad.
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) encouraged Nigeria’s judiciary to draw lessons from Finland’s handling of the case. He lauded the efficiency and transparency displayed in the investigation and trial, urging Nigeria to adopt similar processes to ensure credibility and public trust in its justice system.
