By Abdullahi Inuwa
A Finnish court has handed down a six-year jail term to Simon Ekpa, the self-styled Prime Minister of Biafra, after finding him guilty of terrorism-related offences and tax fraud.
The Päijät-Häme District Court ruled that between August 2021 and November 2024, Ekpa promoted the independence of the Biafra region in southeastern Nigeria through illegal and violent means.
According to the judgment, Ekpa leveraged social media to build political influence while supporting groups officially designated as terrorist organisations. Under his leadership, the movement allegedly set up armed militias, funnelling weapons, explosives, and ammunition through his network.
“Ekpa urged and enticed his followers on his X account to commit crimes in Nigeria,” the court stated.
In addition to terrorism charges, the court also convicted him of aggravated tax fraud and violating Finland’s Attorneys Act.
The verdict marks Finland’s most high-profile terrorism-related case linked to Nigeria, underscoring the international reach of extremist movements fueled by online propaganda.
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