- Safiu Kehinde
A Finnish court has sentenced the self-acclaimed Biafran Prime Minister, Simon Ekpa, to six years imprisonment over terrorism offences and tax fraud.
Ekpa was convicted by the Päijät-Häme District Court which found him guilty of inciting a public crime committed with terrorist intent, participating in the activities of a terrorist group, aggravated tax fraud, and violating the Attorneys Act.
According to the court, Ekpa sought to promote the independence of the Biafra region in southeastern Nigeria by illegal means between August 2021 and November 2024.
The court said he used social media to build a politically influential position while supporting groups designated as terrorist organisations.
It held that the movement under Ekpa established armed groups, supplied with weapons, explosives, and ammunition through his network of contacts.
“Ekpa urged and enticed his followers on his X account to commit crimes in Nigeria,” the court said.
According to report, the conviction marks the most high-profile ruling in Finland involving terrorism-related offences linked to Nigeria.
As contained in the statement issued by the Central Criminal Police in Finland, Ekpa was alleged to be promoting terrorist activities and public incitement to commit crimes in Nigeria.
The Finnish Central Crime Police Commissioner, Otto Hiltunen, as quoted in the statement said “the man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels”.
Few hours after his arrest, the Päijät-Häme District Court ordered the remand of self-acclaimed Biafran Prime Minister over suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
Ekpa would be disowned by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) following his arrest.
The secessionist group also denied ties with the Biafran Republic Government in Exile (BRIGE) formed by Ekpa as it labelled the self-acclaimed Prime Minister as an agent paid to infiltrate and destroy the group’s peaceful movement for Biafra self-determination.