A Finnish court has commenced the terrorism trial of Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian-born Biafra separatist, who is facing multiple charges including public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent and participation in a terrorist group.
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The preparatory hearing took place on Friday at the Päijät-Häme District Court in Lahti, following formal charges filed in mid-May by Finnish prosecutors. Ekpa, a dual Nigerian-Finnish citizen, appeared alongside his lawyer, Kaarle Gummerus.
According to Yle, Finland’s national news outlet, prosecutors allege that Ekpa has been instrumental in promoting separatist activities from his residence in Lahti, Finland, aimed at securing the independence of Biafra in southeastern Nigeria. The prosecution contends that his online activities may constitute acts of terrorism under Finnish law.
State Prosecutor Sampsa Hakala told the court that the state has amassed significant digital evidence, including social media posts and communications, linking Ekpa to the incitement of violence in Nigeria. However, Hakala admitted that verifying details of the alleged offenses remains challenging due to their occurrence in Africa.
The Finnish authorities are seeking a six-year prison sentence for Ekpa. He has denied all charges during police interrogations, including allegations of ordering weapons for pro-Biafra groups and managing illicit fundraising operations.
The court is also reviewing a separate allegation of aggravated tax fraud against Ekpa. Finnish police suspect that he violated the country’s Money Collection Act by unlawfully raising funds between August 2021 and November 2024.
Ekpa was arrested on 21 November 2024 along with four others on suspicion of terrorist activities. While he remains under investigation, the other four individuals were later released due to insufficient evidence.
Ekpa is widely known as the leader of the “Autopilot” faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a group pushing for an independent Biafran state. IPOB has been linked to violent unrest in Nigeria’s South-East and South-South regions, though the organization has consistently denied any involvement in such acts.
Following Ekpa’s arrest, the mainstream IPOB faction loyal to its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, publicly distanced itself from him, stating that Ekpa was never a member of the group.
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