Simon Ekpa, a Finnish politician and separatist leader affiliated with a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), appeared before the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland on Friday as his terrorism trial officially commenced.
The Finnish authorities arrested Ekpa in November 2024 over allegations linked to terror-related activities, including inciting violence and financing terrorism.
Prosecutors claim Ekpa used social media to promote violence and destabilise the South-East region of Nigeria in pursuit of his pro-Biafra separatist agenda.
“We have a great deal of evidence regarding this individual’s online activity and communications,” stated Finnish state prosecutor Sampsa Hakala, who is pushing for a six-year prison sentence.
According to prosecutors, the charges fall under Finnish anti-terrorism laws.
During interrogation, Ekpa rejected the allegations, including claims that he facilitated the procurement of weapons for Biafran groups.
Ekpa is also a prominent figure in the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), which acknowledged his court appearance with a symbolic action.
The group declared a two-day lockdown across Nigeria’s South-East to honour Ekpa and protest his detention.
“We confirm that these two days are significant in the lives of all Biafrans living at home and abroad.”
“Our Prime Minister Simon Ekpa has been detained by the Finnish government since November 2024; imperatively, he will appear in Finnish court on May 29 and so Biafrans should honour him as a hero of our time who has sacrificed his life for Biafra,” the BRGIE stated.
