Simon Ekpa, a Biafran separatist and dual Finnish-Nigerian citizen, has been formally charged with terrorism-related crimes in Finland.
Authorities in Finland announced on Friday, May 16, that Ekpa is facing charges of public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent and participating in the activities of a terrorist group.
The charges cover incidents from 2021 to 2024 in Lahti, a city in southern Finland.
Held in Custody Since November 2024
Ekpa was first arrested in November 2024 and has remained in custody for nearly six months. The Finnish National Prosecution Authority did not name him in its official statement, but public broadcaster YLE confirmed his identity.
Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) also confirmed that the charges were filed as scheduled on Friday morning.
“The case will be heard in Päijät-Häme District Court in Lahti. A hearing date has not yet been set,” DSS officials said.
Ekpa has denied all allegations.
Accusations of Inciting Violence
Simon Ekpa is a known figure in the pro-Biafra movement, claiming to lead a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and a so-called Biafra government in exile.
He is accused of encouraging violence against civilians and Nigerian government officials through separatist messages spread online from his home in Lahti.
In Finland, Ekpa is also a local politician. He serves on a public transport committee in Lahti under the National Coalition Party, a conservative political group.
At the time of Ekpa’s arrest, Finnish police also detained four other people suspected of funding his activities. They were later released due to lack of evidence.
Finnish and Nigerian law enforcement continue to investigate Ekpa’s suspected role in the violence and unrest linked to the pro-Biafra movement.
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