Supporters of exiled pro-Biafra agitator Simon Ekpa have vowed to appeal the six-year prison sentence handed down to him by a Finnish court earlier this week.
Ekpa, who leads the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE) and resides in Finland, was convicted by the Päijät-Häme District Court on Monday, September 1, 2025, on charges including terrorism-related offences, aggravated tax fraud, and violations of Finland’s Lawyers Act.
The court found that between August 2021 and November 2024, Ekpa used his social media platforms to incite criminal acts with terrorist intent in Nigeria’s South-East, where he has long agitated for the creation of an independent Biafra nation.
In a statement on Friday, BRGIE Acting Prime Minister, Ogechukwu Nkere, condemned the ruling, alleging that it was politically motivated and influenced by diplomatic pressure from the Nigerian government.
“This judgment is biased and politically engineered,” Nkere claimed.
“It’s an attempt to criminalise the demand for self-determination and suppress the Biafran movement.”
Nkere dismissed the court’s finding that Ekpa facilitated the supply of weapons and explosives to armed separatist groups in Nigeria, describing the claim as baseless and lacking credible evidence.
“Where in this 21st century is a call for independence automatically labelled terrorism?” Nkere asked, adding, “The allegations of arms supply are unfounded and reflect undue political influence.”
The BRGIE announced plans to intensify its global lobbying efforts, particularly in Washington DC in response to the conviction.
The group said it will leverage international human rights frameworks to challenge what it calls the criminalisation of peaceful agitation.
Nkere also urged Biafrans worldwide to remain united and resilient, saying the increased scrutiny of the Biafran cause on the global stage is a sign that the movement is gaining momentum.
The ruling has sparked mixed reactions, especially within Nigerian and diaspora communities.
While some civil society groups and stakeholders, including Ohanaeze Ndigbo, have praised the conviction as a win for peace and security, Ekpa’s supporters see it as a blow to freedom of expression and the right to self-determination.
Ekpa, a controversial figure in Nigeria, has faced widespread criticism over his repeated “stay-at-home” orders, which have disrupted economic activity and escalated tensions across the South-East.
