Finnish prosecutors have formally charged Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish separatist leader, with crimes related to terrorism, including public incitement to commit terrorist acts and participation in the activities of a terrorist group.
The charges stem from actions he allegedly committed between 2021 and 2024 in Lahti, a city in southern Finland.
In a statement released on Friday, Finland’s National Prosecution Authority confirmed the indictment of a “Finnish individual” suspected of inciting crimes with terrorist intent and engaging in terrorist group activity. Although the authority did not disclose the suspect’s name, Finnish public broadcaster YLE identified him as Simon Ekpa.
Ekpa is a self-declared leader of the “Biafra Republic Government in Exile” and a key figure in the secessionist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) movement, which seeks to establish an independent state in southeastern Nigeria. IPOB, which has been outlawed by the Nigerian government and classified as a terrorist organization, has been linked to a series of violent incidents in the region.
The charges against Ekpa follow a broader investigation into his online activities, which Finnish authorities say involved the use of social media and other platforms to incite violence and promote extremist ideologies tied to the Biafran independence cause. Prosecutors allege that his messages encouraged supporters in Nigeria to commit acts of violence, posing a serious threat to public safety.
Ekpa, a dual citizen of Finland and Nigeria, was detained by Finnish police in November 2024 as part of the ongoing investigation. He remains in custody and has denied all charges.
In addition to his separatist activism, Ekpa has had a role in Finnish politics. He served as a local representative for the conservative National Coalition Party in Lahti, where he was a member of the city’s public transportation committee. His political involvement in Finland has drawn criticism, particularly from those concerned about his controversial activities abroad.
At the time of his arrest, Finnish authorities also requested that four other individuals be held on suspicion of financially supporting Ekpa’s activities. However, on Friday, the prosecution authority announced that charges against the four had been dropped due to insufficient evidence.
Ekpa has gained notoriety for his online rhetoric and disinformation campaigns. He has been the subject of multiple fact-checks by Agence France-Presse (AFP), which debunked several of his claims made in support of the Biafra independence movement.
The case has drawn international attention due to its implications for both Nigerian national security and Finland’s legal stance on international terrorism. If convicted, Ekpa could face significant legal penalties under Finnish anti-terrorism laws.
The trial is expected to proceed later this year, with further details to be disclosed as the case develops.
