A Finnish court has handed a six-year prison sentence to Simon Ekpa, who claims leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra Government in Exile, over crimes linked to terrorism.
The court ruled that Ekpa used online platforms to incite violence, contributing to unrest beyond Finland’s borders.
Ekpa was arrested on November 21, 2024, following an extensive investigation by the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Authorities said he leveraged social media to encourage terrorist acts, a pattern of behavior that spanned over three years.
The Päijät-Häme District Court noted that the charges stemmed from “public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” with alleged offenses occurring between August 2021 and November 2024.
“The court finds the evidence sufficient to demonstrate that Ekpa’s actions were deliberately aimed at fostering violence,” the judgment stated.
In addition to his imprisonment, Finnish authorities froze Ekpa’s assets, along with those of his associates and affiliated companies, to prevent further funding of violent activities.
A spokesperson for the NBI said, “This case sends a clear message: incitement to violence, even from abroad, will face serious legal consequences.”
Ekpa’s detention and sentencing mark a significant international response to cross-border agitation and the use of social media for violent mobilization, highlighting growing concerns over extremist propaganda.
