The terrorism trial of Nigerian-Finnish separatist Simon Ekpa began on Friday at the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland.
Ekpa, who leads a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was charged on May 16, 2025, with public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent and participation in a terrorist group.
The Finnish deputy prosecutor general alleges that Ekpa used social media to incite violence and stir unrest in Nigeria’s South-East as part of his Biafra secessionist campaign.
“We have a great deal of evidence regarding this individual’s online activity and communications,” said state prosecutor Sampsa Hakala. Prosecutors are seeking a six-year prison sentence, stating that Ekpa’s actions may qualify as terrorism under Finnish law.
Ekpa was arrested in November 2024 at the request of the Nigerian government. During interrogation, he denied allegations of supplying weapons to pro-Biafra groups or ordering violence.