A Finnish appeal court has reduced the prison sentence of pro-Biafran agitator Simon Ekpa from six years to four years while upholding his conviction on terrorism-related charges.
Finnish public broadcaster Yle reported on Thursday that the court upheld the Päijät-Häme District Court’s findings that Ekpa participated in a terrorist organisation and publicly incited crimes for terrorist purposes.
The appeal court reportedly considered the circumstances in south-eastern Nigeria, where Ekpa’s activities were linked to efforts to establish an independent Biafran state. It noted that the situation in the region resembled a civil war but did not meet the legal definition of one.
Ekpa had argued during the appeal that his involvement in the region’s political crisis was not motivated by terrorist intent.
The prosecution had also challenged the original judgment, arguing that the six-year sentence handed down by the district court was insufficient given the seriousness of the offences.
The latest ruling concerns Ekpa’s activities between August 2021 and November 2024. The district court found that he used his large social media following to heighten tensions in the Biafra region as part of the campaign for an independent state.
The court had also found him guilty of aggravated tax fraud and violating provisions of Finland’s Lawyers Act, in addition to the terrorism-related offences. It further found that he had supplied weapons, explosives and ammunition to armed groups through his network of contacts and encouraged followers on X, formerly Twitter, to commit crimes in Nigeria. Ekpa denied the charges during his trial.
The appeal court’s decision is not final and may still be challenged before a higher court.
Ekpa moved from Nigeria to Finland in 2007 and is a long-term resident of Lahti. He previously served on the city council, representing Finland’s National Coalition Party.
His arrest in November 2024 followed investigations into alleged separatist activities linked to the campaign for an independent Biafran state.
Biafra declared independence from Nigeria in 1967, triggering a civil war that lasted until 1970, when the secessionist bid ended.
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