Image of Simon Ekpa

The Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland has sentenced Nigerian-born Finnish politician Simon Ekpa to six years in prison for terrorism-related crimes and other offences.

Ekpa, 40, a former municipal politician from Lahti, was convicted on charges including participation in a terrorist organisation, incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes, aggravated tax fraud, and violations of the Lawyers Act. The court also ordered that he remain in custody.

According to the judgement, Ekpa attempted to advance the independence of the so-called Biafra region in southeastern Nigeria through illegal means between August 2021 and November 2024. The court said he used social media to secure political influence, exploited divisions within a separatist movement, and helped transform it into a more organised structure.

Trial documents revealed that armed groups linked to the movement were established and equipped with weapons and explosives through Ekpa’s network. The court noted that he urged his followers on X (formerly Twitter) to commit crimes in Nigeria.

Ekpa denied all the charges.

The trial, held over 12 sessions between May 30 and June 25, 2025, ended with a unanimous verdict by a three-judge panel. Finnish authorities had arrested him in December 2024 on terrorism-related suspicions.

Although four other men were initially detained in connection with the case, charges against them were later dropped due to insufficient evidence.