By Erewunmi Peace

A Finnish court has sentenced Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian separatist leader and self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, to six years in prison for terrorism-related offenses and aggravated tax fraud.

The ruling was delivered on September 1, 2025, by the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland, following a trial that exposed Ekpa’s involvement in inciting violence and supporting terrorist activities in Nigeria’s South-East region.

According to Finnish prosecutors, Ekpa was found guilty of:

Public incitement to commit terrorist acts

Participation in a terrorist group

Aggravated tax fraud

Violating legal and professional ethics

The court also established that Ekpa used social media platforms between August 2021 and November 2024 to promote terrorist activities, raise funds, and encourage attacks that resulted in loss of lives and destruction of properties in Nigeria.

Reports indicate that Ekpa’s online broadcasts and directives were linked to multiple violent incidents attributed to the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and other militant groups operating under the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) banner.

The judgment comes after months of investigations by Finnish authorities, who accused Ekpa of using his base in Lahti, Finland, to orchestrate violence in Nigeria while evading local tax laws.

Ekpa has the right to appeal the sentence. However, as of now, he remains in custody.

Simon Ekpa, a former athlete and lawyer, rose to prominence after claiming leadership of IPOB’s operations following the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu. He has repeatedly called for a separate Biafran state and spearheaded the controversial sit-at-home orders that paralyzed economic activities in Nigeria’s South-East region.