The trial of Simon Ekpa, self-styled Prime Minister of Biafra, has begun in Finland, where prosecutors are seeking a six-year prison sentence for terrorism-related charges.
Ekpa appeared before the Päijät-Häme District Court to face charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent and participation in a terrorist group.
Finnish prosecutors allege that Ekpa has been actively involved in separatist activities, using online platforms to incite violence in Nigeria’s South-East region.
“We have a great deal of evidence regarding this individual’s online activity and communications,” said State Prosecutor Sampsa Hakala.
Ekpa, who was arrested in November 2024, has denied all charges, including allegations of ordering weapons for pro-Biafra groups. His lawyer, Kaarle Gummerus, questioned the reliability of information obtained from Nigeria.
IPOB Distances Itself from Ekpa
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has publicly disowned Ekpa, stating that he is not a member of the group. IPOB condemned the timing of his trial, which coincided with Biafra Day, a day set aside to honour victims of the Biafra war.
“Let it be made unequivocally clear: Simon Ekpa is NOT a member of IPOB. He has been publicly disowned by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu himself,” IPOB stated.
Ekpa, who previously prided himself as the “Apostle of Nnamdi Kanu“, has reportedly recanted and described his role to Finnish prosecutors as a “content creator” rather than a freedom fighter. Nnamdi Kanu is the incarcerated leader of IPOB.
Some credit him with inspiring violent disturbances in the South East, a charge he has repeatedly denied.
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