A Finnish court has sentenced Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian-born separatist leader, to six years in prison for terrorism-related crimes.
Ekpa, who leads the “Autopilot” faction of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was found guilty by the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland. The court ruled that he used his large social media influence to incite violence and push for Biafra’s independence.
According to Finnish media, Ekpa encouraged his followers to commit crimes in Nigeria between August 2021 and November 2024. The court also said he supplied armed groups with weapons, explosives, and ammunition.
Ekpa, who moved to Finland in 2007, once served as a local councillor in Lahti. He denied all the charges but was also convicted of aggravated tax fraud.
The ruling is not final, meaning Ekpa can still appeal the judgment.
This development is expected to please the Nigerian government, which has long accused him of fueling unrest in the southeast. President Bola Tinubu previously welcomed Finland’s action, stressing that Nigeria will not tolerate statements or activities that threaten national unity.
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