Simon Ekpa, 40, is a separatist leader infamous for heading the Indigenous People of Biafra group in Nigeria.
The nationalist leader, now convict gained prominence when he represented Nigeria as a track athlete and won silver. He later relocated to Finland, where he gained citizenship. During his time outside Nigeria, Ekpa declared himself the “Prime Minister” of the Biafra Government in Exile. Following this declaration and many other instigations, the Nigerian military declared him wanted in 2024 when he, alongside 100 others, were accused of terrorism.
According to reports, Ekpa was responsible for the abduction and killings of hundreds in the eastern region. He was also accused of aiding terrorist groups and making public incitements to push for the independence of a separatist region. Authorities said he equipped these groups with ammunition, weapons and explosives to cause disruptions in parts of Nigeria.
Ekpa previously said he led a faction within IPOB. He was arrested at his home in Finland in February 2023 but later released. However, he was rearrested in November 2024 and tried for participation in a terrorist organization, public incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes, supplying weapons, explosives and ammunition to armed separatist groups in Nigeria, aggravated tax fraud and illegal practice of law. The Finnish citizen and former councilor in Finland’s Lahti city has denied the charges but was taken into custody for further investigations.
The Päijät-Häme court ruled that he engaged in illegal activities between August 2021 and November 2024 and used social media to incite the public to commit crimes in Nigeria.
“Ekpa equipped the groups with weapons, explosives and ammunition through his contact network. He also urged and enticed his followers on X (formerly Twitter) to commit crimes in Nigeria,” the court said.
The trial was conducted over 12 sessions between May 30 and June 25, 2025, with a panel of three judges unanimously delivering the verdict. On Monday, Sept. 1, he was sentenced to six years in prison for terrorism crimes and other charges.
Four other people were also remanded in custody on suspicion of financing Ekpa’s activities. It is not clear if the Nigerian authorities have made a formal extradition request, but several senior officials have said they expect him to be tried in the West African country.
“Thank you Finland. See you soon, Prime Minister,” Dada Olusegun, special assistant to President Bola Tinubu, posted on X, a mocking reference to Ekpa’s self-awarded title.
The Nigerian army applauded Ekpa’s arrest, describing it as a “key victory” in the fight against terrorism.
The Nigerian government commended the Finnish judiciary for what it described as a firm stand in upholding the rule of law, while reiterating its commitment to using diplomatic, legal and security channels to maintain national peace and sovereignty.
Information Minister Mohammed Idris said, “By upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is served, the Finnish judiciary has not only vindicated Nigeria’s consistent position on this matter but also sent a clear signal to extremists everywhere that the world is watching, and justice will catch up with those who seek to destabilize societies through terror.”
Since his sentencing, IPOB has denied any association with Ekpa and insists he was never a part of the organization.
In a statement by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Director, Emma Powerful, the group declared, “IPOB under oath in a Finnish court testified that Simon Ekpa has never held any position in IPOB or ESN. Ekpa himself under oath described himself merely as a ‘content creator,’ admitted he disowned IPOB, and boasted that he would destroy IPOB.”
Simon Ekpa’s case highlights the global reach of terrorism cases and the consequences of cross-border incitement.
