Nigerians React As Finland Court Sentences Simon Ekpa To Six Years In Prison

The news of Simon Ekpa’s conviction in Finland has triggered mixed reactions among Nigerians both at home and abroad.

On Monday, the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland sentenced Simon Ekpa to six years in prison after finding him guilty of terrorism-related offences and aggravated tax fraud.

According to the court, the activist used his vast social media following between 2021 and 2024 to incite violence in the South-East region of Nigeria while operating from the Finnish city of Lahti.

The ruling stated that Ekpa was a key figure in a separatist movement that armed militias in the South-East region and that he helped provide weapons and explosives through contacts in Nigeria.

Ekpa, the self-proclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra Government in Exile, was also accused of urging his supporters on social media platform X to carry out attacks.

Ekpa, who denied the charges, moved to Finland in 2007 as an athlete and later served briefly as a local councillor.

Despite his defence, the court held that his actions constituted participation in a terrorist organisation.

The judgment is not final, meaning Simon Ekpa has the right to appeal to a higher court.

News of the sentence quickly spread across social media, sparking heated debate among Nigerians.

While some welcomed the ruling, describing it as justice for victims of violence in the South-East, others criticised it, arguing that Simon Ekpa was being unfairly targeted for his views.

See some reactions below:

KanyiDaily recalls that Nigerian Governmen previously said that Simon Ekpa will be extradited to Nigeria to face terrorism charges.