Finnish authorities have formally charged Nigerian separatist leader Simon Ekpa with inciting terrorism through online platforms, as part of an ongoing investigation into his activities linked to the Biafra independence movement.
The National Prosecution Authority of Finland announced on Friday that a dual Finnish-Nigerian citizen was being prosecuted for “public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent and participation in the activities of a terrorist group.” The offenses allegedly occurred between 2021 and 2024 in the city of Lahti.
While the statement did not mention Ekpa by name, Finnish public broadcaster YLE confirmed the accused as the controversial Biafra agitator.
Ekpa, a self-styled leader of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, has been a vocal figure in the campaign to establish an independent Biafran state in southeastern Nigeria. His rhetoric and calls for sit-at-home protests have been linked to unrest and violence in the region, drawing international criticism.
He was detained in Finland in November 2024 and remains in custody. The prosecution authority confirmed that he denies all charges.
A former representative of Finland’s conservative National Coalition Party in Lahti, Ekpa previously served on the city’s public transport committee. His political involvement in Finland has drawn scrutiny amid the terrorism allegations.
Authorities also revealed that four other individuals had been suspected of financing Ekpa’s activities. However, charges against them have now been dropped due to insufficient evidence.
The case underscores growing concerns over the use of digital platforms to incite violence across borders and highlights the complex legal challenges faced by governments dealing with transnational separatist movements.
