Finnish prosecutors have formally charged Simon Ekpa, a dual Finnish-Nigerian national and self-declared leader of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, with inciting terrorism, okay.ng reports.
The charges relate to his alleged role in promoting violent actions aimed at advancing the independence of Biafra, a separatist movement in Nigeria’s southeastern region. The offenses reportedly occurred in Lahti, Finland, between 2021 and 2024.
In a statement on Friday, Finland’s National Prosecution Authority confirmed that Ekpa faces accusations of “public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent and participation in the activities of a terrorist group.” Ekpa remains in custody and denies all charges. Finnish police arrested him in November 2024 alongside four others suspected of financing his activities, though charges against the latter were later dropped due to insufficient evidence.
Ekpa, a former athlete and lawyer, is a prominent figure in the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) movement, which advocates for the secession of Nigeria’s southeast-a region that was the epicenter of a civil war in the late 1960s. Besides his activism, Ekpa has participated in Finnish local politics, serving on a public transport committee for the conservative National Coalition Party in Lahti.
Finnish authorities have scheduled Ekpa’s trial for May 2025, with investigations ongoing. The case underscores Finland’s commitment to enforcing anti-terrorism laws while balancing the rights of the accused.
