Simon Ekpa’s trial begins in Finland as prosecutor seeks six-year jail term

The trial of Simon Ekpa, the controversial Biafra agitator, commenced at the Päijät-Häme district court on Friday.

Ekpa was charged with “public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent” and “participation in a terrorist group”.

The Biafra agitator had denied all charges during a police investigation.

According to Yle, a Finnish media outlet, Ekpa appeared in court alongside his lawyer, Kaarle Gummerus.

The publication said the prosecutor is demanding a minimum prison sentence of six years for Ekpa.

Speaking with Yle before the preparatory session, Sampsa Hakala, the state prosecutor, said Ekpa is suspected of inciting crimes in Nigeria and having participated in the activities of a terrorist group from Finland.

“We have a lot of evidence of this person’s activities on the internet and his communications. So far, it’s a pretty good picture of what we think happened in this matter,” Hakala said.

Hakala, however, said obtaining accurate information about the suspected terrorist acts remains challenging, largely because the incidents occurred in Africa.

Ekpa’s lawyer questioned the veracity of information obtained from Nigeria during the preparatory session.

Speaking after the session, Gummerus said the legal proceedings will clarify whether Ekpa was involved or his actions led to the violence in the south-east geopolitical zone of Nigeria.

Ekpa’s lawyer said his client has denied the terrorism charges.

Yle also reported that the prosecution presented as evidence Ekpa’s X post during the main hearing.

The Finnish authorities have also filed charges bordering on “suspicion of aggravated tax fraud and violation of the provisions of the Attorneys Act” against Ekpa.

On Monday, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) condemned the decision by Finnish authorities to schedule the trial of Ekpa on May 30, 2025.

The day was set aside by IPOB to commemorate the memory of martyrs from the Biafra war.

The group said Ekpa is not a member of IPOB and has been publicly disowned by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the group.