Finnish prosecutors have charged Simon Ekpa with inciting terrorism and participating in a terrorist group, in connection with his Biafra secession campaign.
BUSINESS DAY
Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish separatist leader, has been charged by Finnish prosecutors with inciting terrorism and participating in a terrorist group. Finland’s National Prosecution Authority, in a statement on Friday, said the offences occurred between 2021 and 2024 in Lahti and are tied to efforts to establish Biafra’s secession from Nigeria.
Although the suspect was unnamed, Finnish public broadcaster YLE identified him as Ekpa, who leads the self-styled Biafra Republic Government in Exile. He was arrested in November 2024 and remains in custody. Ekpa has denied all charges.
Known as a factional leader of IPOB, Ekpa has been a vocal advocate of southeast Nigeria’s independence and has previously served in Lahti’s public transport committee. Finnish authorities had also detained four others on suspicion of funding Ekpa, but charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence.
Ekpa has drawn global scrutiny, including fact-checks by AFP for spreading false claims related to his separatist campaign. The trial date is yet to be announced.