Finland Slams Biafra Agitator Simon Ekpa with Terrorism Charges Linked to Nigeria’s South-East Conflict
The Finnish government has formally charged Nigerian-Finnish separatist agitator, Simon Ekpa, with terrorism-related offences, as the controversial figure prepares to face trial over his alleged involvement in promoting violence in Nigeria’s south-east region.
According to Finnish media outlet Yle, Finland’s Deputy Prosecutor General filed the charges on Friday morning, accusing Mr Ekpa of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent and participation in a terrorist group. The charges will be heard at the Päijät-Häme District Court in Lahti, where Mr Ekpa resides.
The prosecution asserts that the offences are connected to Mr Ekpa’s activities as a prominent advocate for the secession of south-east Nigeria under the banner of Biafra.
He is believed to have coordinated and disseminated separatist propaganda from his home in Lahti, thereby inciting violence and contributing to unrest in the region commonly referred to as “Biafra land.”
Mr Ekpa, 40, who leads a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) known as Autopilot, was arrested on 21 November 2024 alongside four other individuals, on suspicion of terrorist activity.
While the four co-accused were later released during preliminary investigations, Mr Ekpa remained in custody after the Päijät-Häme District Court ruled there was “probable cause” to suspect him of public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent.
The Finnish police, who have been working closely with Nigerian authorities, revealed that Mr Ekpa’s actions contributed to violence and civilian attacks in Nigeria’s south-east.
They also suspect him of violating the Finnish Money Collection Act by allegedly collecting funds illegally to support separatist activities. These alleged offences reportedly took place between 23 August 2021 and 18 November 2024.
Although a trial date has yet to be set, the court had earlier fixed May 2025 as the deadline for prosecutors to submit formal charges—now fulfilled with the recent filing.
The IPOB, which has been at the centre of the push for an independent Biafra state to be carved out of Nigeria’s south-east and parts of the south-south, has often been accused of orchestrating deadly attacks in the region.
However, the group has consistently denied involvement in such violence. Following Mr Ekpa’s arrest in November, the main IPOB faction loyal to its detained leader Nnamdi Kanu publicly disowned him, stating that Mr Ekpa was never a member of their organisation.
The case has drawn significant international attention, given its cross-border implications and the delicate geopolitical situation in Nigeria.
