Simon Ekpa sentenced to prison in Finland for terror-related offences
By Abdullahi Muhammad
Simon Ekpa, a Finnish-Nigerian separatist and leader of a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been sentenced to prison in Finland following his arrest for inciting violence and promoting terrorism.
The Päijät-Häme District Court found Ekpa guilty of using his social media platforms to encourage terrorist activities, particularly in southeastern Nigeria, a region plagued by unrest.
Finnish authorities stated that Ekpa’s online rhetoric, including support for sit-at-home orders and calls for election boycotts in Nigeria, fueled violence that has disrupted communities in the region.
Ekpa, who claims leadership of IPOB in exile, has been a controversial figure, previously linked to threats that led to his initial arrest in February 2023. Finnish police also detained four others for alleged involvement in financing terrorist activities.
Nigerian officials have long criticised Ekpa’s activities, accusing him of exacerbating instability. The Nigerian government has been in discussions with Finnish authorities regarding Ekpa’s influence, though legal hurdles and human rights concerns have complicated potential extradition efforts.
The case highlights increasing international cooperation to combat cross-border terrorism and raises questions about balancing free speech with accountability for incitement to violence.