A Finnish court has sentenced Simon Ekpa, a leading figure in the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) movement, to six years in prison for terrorism-related offenses.
Ekpa, widely known for his strong online presence, was convicted of inciting terrorism, participating in a terrorist group, aggravated tax fraud, and violating the Attorneys Act.
According to the court, he used his large social media following between August 2021 and November 2024 to incite violence in Nigeria’s southeastern region. Investigators revealed that Ekpa supplied groups with weapons, explosives, and ammunition through his contacts, while also encouraging his followers to commit crimes in Nigeria.
Finnish authorities arrested Ekpa in November 2024 after months of investigation. The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) froze his assets, along with those of his associates and related companies, as part of the probe.
Despite denying all charges, Ekpa was found guilty after a trial spanning 12 sessions between May 30 and June 25, 2025. The court ordered that he remain in custody to serve his six-year sentence.
The case has drawn international attention, underscoring the growing challenge of tackling terrorism networks that exploit digital platforms to spread propaganda and coordinate activities across borders.
Background on Simon Ekpa
Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish lawyer and political activist, rose to prominence in 2021 after being named as a lead broadcaster for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a separatist group banned by the Nigerian government and designated as a terrorist organization. He is based in Lahti, Finland, where he also served as a local politician and lawyer before coming under scrutiny.
Ekpa became widely known for his social media broadcasts, where he often issued directives relating to “sit-at-home” orders in Nigeria’s southeast, which disrupted economic and social activities in the region. Nigerian authorities repeatedly accused him of fueling unrest from abroad, linking his messages to attacks and killings carried out by armed groups in the area.
His arrest and prosecution in Finland followed years of diplomatic concerns raised by Nigeria about his activities. The trial and eventual conviction mark a significant step in efforts to curb the influence of diaspora-based agitators accused of coordinating violent campaigns in their home countries.
