The Finnish government has officially begun the terrorism trial of Nigerian separatist figure, Simon Ekpa, at the Päijät-Häme District Court. Ekpa, a dual citizen of Finland and Nigeria, is facing serious charges including incitement to violence and financing terrorism.
Ekpa’s trial comes months after his arrest in November 2024, following an investigation into his alleged role in promoting unrest in Nigeria’s South-east through online platforms. Finnish prosecutors assert that his digital activities — including social media posts — contributed to violence and instability in the region, citing extensive evidence of communications and inciting materials.
“We have a great deal of evidence regarding this individual’s online activity and communications,” said state prosecutor Sampsa Hakala, who is pushing for a six-year prison sentence under Finnish anti-terror laws.
Ekpa, known for his affiliation with a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), denies all allegations, including claims that he ordered weapons for pro-Biafra militants. IPOB is a separatist movement advocating for the independence of Nigeria’s Igbo-dominated southeast — a region that still bears the scars of the Biafran civil war (1967–1970).
Aside from his involvement in secessionist politics, Ekpa previously held a local political role in Finland as a member of the National Coalition Party, where he served on Lahti’s public transport committee.
The high-profile trial is being closely watched both in Finland and Nigeria, with potential implications for international laws on digital extremism and political dissent.
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