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By Oscar Okhifo
The Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland on Monday sentenced Nigerian-born Biafran agitator, Simon Ekpa, to six years in prison after finding him guilty of terrorism-related offences, aggravated tax fraud, and illegally offering legal services.
The court held that between August 2021 and November 2024, Ekpa, a long-term resident of Lahti, used his social media platforms to incite acts of violence with terrorist intent in southeastern Nigeria, while also playing a central role in organizing and supplying armed separatist groups with weapons, explosives, and ammunition.
According to the judgment, Ekpa exploited his large online following to encourage violent enforcement of “sit-at-home” orders and other actions in Nigeria’s South-East, which were linked to deadly attacks in the region. Finnish jurisdiction applied because the activities were directed from Finland.
In addition to the terrorism conviction, the court found that Ekpa committed aggravated tax fraud and violated Finland’s Lawyers Act by providing immigration and family law services through his company, Ekpa & Co, despite not being a licensed attorney.
Ekpa, who was arrested in November 2024 following a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) probe, stood trial between May and June 2025. The unanimous verdict by a three-judge panel ordered that he remain in custody.
The Ebonyi State-born activist, who obtained Finnish citizenship in 2009 and once served as a local councillor in Lahti, denied all terrorism charges but admitted to a minor tax offence.
The six-year sentence is not yet final as Ekpa retains the right to appeal to a higher court.