Finland Files Terrorism Charges Against Simon Ekpa

The Finnish government has charged Simon Ekpa, a known Biafra activist, with terrorism-related offenses.

Simon Ekpa faces accusations of “public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent” and “participation in a terrorist group.”

According to Finnish news outlet Yle, the charges were filed on Friday morning, May 16, at the Päijät-Häme district court.

Jukka Rappe, Finland’s deputy prosecutor-general, said the charges are connected to Ekpa’s efforts to create an independent Biafra state.

Rappe added that prosecutors will review Ekpa’s online actions to decide if they qualify as criminal acts.

The court will decide whether Ekpa, who managed information networks from Finland, committed terrorist crimes.

Rappe described the case as “unique” and said it’s the first of its kind, noting that Finland received documents related to the case from Nigeria.

No hearing date has been set yet.

In November 2024, Ekpa, who claims to be a leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was arrested in Finland.

The Päijät-Häme district court later sent him to prison for “spreading terrorist propaganda on social media.”

The crime is said to have happened in 2021 in Lahti municipality.

Ekpa is accused of encouraging violence and spreading terror in southeastern Nigeria through his social media accounts.

Recently, Nigeria’s Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi said the federal government has not yet started the process to extradite Ekpa.

KanyiDaily recalls that Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters said that Simon Ekpa will be extradited to Nigeria to face terrorism charges.