Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland has sentenced Nigerian separatist activist Simon Ekpa to six years in prison after convicting him on terrorism-related charges.
The ruling, delivered on Monday, found that Ekpa participated in a terrorist organisation and incited crimes for terrorist purposes.
Judges concluded that Ekpa, who is based in Finland, had played an influential role in efforts to revive a breakaway Biafran state in southeastern Nigeria.
Biafra declared independence in 1967, sparking a brutal civil war that left more than one million people dead before the region was reabsorbed into Nigeria in 1970.
The court said Ekpa had leveraged his significant social media following to fuel unrest in the region between August 2021 and November 2024.
In particular, it found that his online posts had urged supporters to carry out violent acts in the name of Biafran independence.
According to the verdict, Ekpa’s position within a separatist movement gave him authority, which he used to direct and encourage armed factions.
The court said these groups sought to advance independence “by force” and had engaged in violent activities.
Evidence presented showed that Ekpa provided material support to armed units operating in southeastern Nigeria.
Judges found that he had arranged supplies of weapons, explosives, and ammunition through his contacts on the ground.
In addition, he was found to have used the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to call on his followers to commit crimes.
Prosecutors argued that these actions amounted to participation in a terrorist organisation under Finnish law.
Ekpa, who has lived in the Finnish city of Lahti since 2007, denied all wrongdoing during the trial.
He argued that his advocacy was political in nature and not intended to promote violence.
The court, however, rejected his defence, ruling that his conduct went beyond political expression.
Judges also highlighted his background as a former Lahti city councillor, noting that he had carried out these activities while residing in Finland.
That connection established Finnish jurisdiction over the case, even though the alleged crimes occurred in Nigeria.
Alongside the terrorism-related convictions, Ekpa was also found guilty of aggravated tax fraud.
The court said this offence related to his financial dealings while living in Finland.
Ekpa, who was born in Biafra before relocating to Europe, had previously represented Finland as an athlete.
His lawyer confirmed that he intends to challenge the verdict at a higher court.
Under Finnish law, Monday’s ruling is not final until appeals are exhausted.
The case has drawn significant attention both in Finland and Nigeria, where Ekpa maintains a large online following.
Critics say his rhetoric has worsened insecurity in parts of Nigeria’s southeast, while his supporters insist he is a political prisoner.
For now, Ekpa remains in custody as the appeal process begins.
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