Finnish authorities have formally charged Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish national and self-styled leader of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, with terrorism-related offences.
According to a statement released on Friday by Finland’s National Prosecution Authority, “a Finnish individual in a case involving suspected public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent and participation in the activities of a terrorist group” has been charged.
Although the statement did not disclose the accused’s name, Finnish public broadcaster YLE identified the individual as Simon Ekpa.
The charges stem from alleged incidents that occurred in Lahti, Finland, between 2021 and 2024.
Prosecutors allege that Ekpa used public messages to promote violent actions aimed at securing the independence of Biafra from Nigeria.
“The charges relate to public messages inciting violent actions with the aim of advancing the independence of Biafra,” the prosecution stated.
Ekpa remains in custody and has denied all charges.
A former athlete and lawyer, Ekpa is widely known for his involvement with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a secessionist movement advocating for an independent Biafran state in southeastern Nigeria. The region witnessed a devastating civil war in the late 1960s following a failed attempt to secede.
Aside from his activism, Ekpa has also dabbled in Finnish politics. He previously served on the public transport committee in Lahti under the conservative National Coalition Party.
His arrest occurred in November 2024. At the time, Finnish police also detained four other individuals suspected of financing his activities. However, the prosecution has since dropped charges against the four, citing lack of sufficient evidence.
