In a dramatic courtroom scene unfolding in Finland, Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, appeared before the Päijät-Häme District Court today, marking the start of a high-stakes terrorism trial that has drawn international attention. The Finnish-Nigerian separatist leader faces serious charges of inciting violence and participating in a terrorist organization, with prosecutors alleging his online activities have fueled deadly unrest in Nigeria’s South-East region.
Ekpa, a polarizing figure and former local politician in Lahti, stood defiant in a suit and red tie as prosecutors laid out their case, accusing him of orchestrating a campaign of violence from his base in Finland. The prosecution, led by State Prosecutor Sampsa Hakala, is seeking a six-year prison sentence, claiming Ekpa’s social media broadcasts incited attacks on civilians and security forces in Nigeria’s Biafra region, costing the area over ₦4 trillion in economic losses due to enforced sit-at-home orders and insecurity. “We have a great deal of evidence regarding this individual’s online activity and communications,” Hakala told the court, though he noted challenges in obtaining detailed evidence of acts committed in Africa.
The charges stem from Ekpa’s alleged role in promoting the restoration of Biafra, a region that briefly declared independence in the 1960s, sparking a brutal civil war in Nigeria. Finnish authorities say Ekpa, a member of Finland’s National Coalition Party and a Lahti public transport board representative, used platforms like X to spread separatist propaganda, including calls to boycott Nigeria’s 2023 elections, which led to violent disruptions. Four others arrested alongside Ekpa in November 2024 were cleared of terrorism financing charges due to insufficient evidence, leaving Ekpa as the primary defendant.
In Nigeria, the trial is being hailed as a victory by some. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe of Abia South called Ekpa’s arrest a “significant step” toward curbing violence in the South-East, accusing him of exploiting the Biafra cause for criminal gain. The Nigerian government, which has placed Ekpa on a sanctions list and frozen his assets, is pushing for his extradition, with a federal witness recently testifying that proceedings are underway to bring him to Nigeria to face justice. However, Ekpa’s new lawyer, Kaarle Gummerus, signaled a robust defense, stating he is reviewing the pre-trial file and preparing for a June 2025 hearing.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the separatist group Ekpa claims to represent, has publicly disowned him. IPOB spokesman Emma Powerful declared, “Simon Ekpa is not a member of IPOB. He described himself as a content creator, not a freedom fighter,” accusing foreign media of falsely linking Ekpa’s actions to their movement. IPOB insists its struggle is peaceful and guided by international law, dismissing Ekpa’s tactics as fraudulent.
As the trial kicked off, social media buzzed with reactions. Posts on X captured the polarized sentiment, with some Biafra supporters calling the trial a “divine” moment to spotlight Nigeria’s alleged atrocities, while others celebrated Ekpa’s day in court as a blow to terrorism. The Enugu State Government labeled Ekpa a “common criminal” and “megalomaniac,” accusing him of extorting and manipulating Igbo communities under the guise of liberation.
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