A Finnish court has sentenced controversial Biafra agitator Simon Ekpa to six years in prison after convicting him of terrorism-related crimes, a judgment that marks a turning point in one of the most closely watched cases involving Nigerian separatist figures abroad.
The Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland, on Monday, found Ekpa guilty of participating in a terrorist organisation and publicly inciting crimes for terrorist purposes, according to Finnish national newspaper Yle. The ruling followed his dramatic arrest on 21 November 2024 alongside four others, after months of intelligence tracking.
Ekpa, a lawyer and self-styled “Prime Minister” of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, has long been accused by Nigerian authorities of masterminding violence in the South-East under the guise of enforcing sit-at-home orders. The Finnish court noted that his online broadcasts and directives contributed to acts of terror that endangered lives and disrupted public order.
The trial, which lasted several months, heard testimonies and examined evidence linking Ekpa to coordinated armed activities. Prosecutors argued that his persistent calls for armed resistance crossed the line from free speech into direct incitement of terrorism. The defence countered that he was exercising political expression, but the court ruled that his rhetoric and organisational ties posed “a real and demonstrable threat to public safety.”
Back in Nigeria, the verdict is already generating ripples. Security analysts say the ruling strengthens Abuja’s position that Ekpa is not just a political dissident but a figure whose influence has translated into violence. Families of victims of killings and kidnappings in the South-East have also called for Nigeria to pursue further charges and extradition.
Ekpa’s sentencing also adds diplomatic weight to Nigeria-Finland relations, with both governments under pressure to ensure accountability. Human rights groups, however, have urged restraint, stressing that while terrorism must be condemned, the underlying grievances fueling agitation in the South-East should not be ignored.
As things stand, the once-defiant agitator faces six years behind bars in Finland, a country whose courts are known for their strict adherence to due process. For many Nigerians, the case may be a warning that extremist rhetoric abroad cannot escape international law.
