HELSINKI – In a landmark ruling, the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland has sentenced Nigerian-Finnish separatist leader Simon Ekpa to six years in prison for a catalogue of terrorism-related crimes. The verdict, delivered on Monday, marks a significant development in international efforts to curb the activities of a militant group in Nigeria.
Ekpa, a 40-year-old former municipal politician from the city of Lahti, was found guilty on multiple serious charges. The conviction includes participation in the activities of a terrorist organisation, incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes, aggravated tax fraud, and violations of the Lawyers Act for offering legal services without a license. The court ordered that he remain in custody following the sentencing.
According to the detailed judgment, between August 2021 and November 2024, Ekpa used his base in Finland to aggressively promote the independence of the so-called Biafra region in southeastern Nigeria. The court found that he did so not through peaceful means, but by directing and financing violent operations.
Key details from the case include:
· Inciting Violence: Ekpa, a self-proclaimed disciple of the detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, became a prominent voice through his inflammatory online broadcasts. The court concluded that his daily streams on YouTube and other platforms directly incited his followers to commit acts of violence, including enforcing illegal sit-at-home orders in Nigeria, which often led to attacks, arson, and killings.
· Financial Crimes: The “aggravated tax fraud” charges stem from his fundraising activities. Ekpa is alleged to have collected significant sums of money from his supporters worldwide under the guise of supporting the Biafran cause. The court found that he then funneled these funds for personal use and to finance the armed wing of the movement, while deliberately evading Finnish taxes on the income.
· Terrorism Link: The court formally recognized the connection between Ekpa’s activities in Finland and the violence in Nigeria, treating his financial and rhetorical support as direct participation in terrorism.
The sentencing is expected to have major repercussions. Nigerian authorities, who have long sought Ekpa’s extradition, have hailed the Finnish court’s decision as a victory for international justice. Within Nigeria, the hope is that the removal of his influential voice could help de-escalate the chronic tension and violence in the Southeast region.
The court’s decision underscores the principle that individuals can be held accountable for cross-border incitement and terrorism financing, even when orchestrated from a country thousands of miles away. Ekpa’s legal team is expected to appeal the verdict.
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