On Friday, Finnish prosecutors filed terrorism-related charges against Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed separatist leader pushing for the independence of Nigeria’s South-East region, known as Biafra.
The Finnish National Prosecution Authority stated that the dual Finnish-Nigerian citizen is being charged with publicly inciting criminal acts with terrorist intent and participating in the activities of a terrorist group. These alleged offenses took place in Lahti, Finland, between 2021 and 2024.
Though the official statement didn’t name the suspect, Finland’s public broadcaster YLE identified him as Simon Ekpa, a key figure in the campaign to restore the now-defunct Republic of Biafra.
Simon Ekpa claims to lead a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a group the Nigerian government has banned and labeled a terrorist organization.
Authorities allege that his online content incited violence and contributed to unrest in southeastern Nigeria. The case has been under joint investigation by Finnish and Nigerian officials, with accusations that his actions may have provoked attacks on civilians and government personnel in Nigeria.
Earlier, Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation detained five people in connection with the case. Four were suspected of financing terrorism linked to Ekpa but were released due to insufficient evidence. Prosecutors have since confirmed that those four will not face charges.
Ekpa, who was first taken into custody in November 2024, remains detained and has denied all charges. He previously served as a representative of Finland’s conservative National Coalition Party and was a member of a public transport committee in Lahti.
