Finnish prosecutors are pursuing a six-year prison sentence for a Nigerian pro-Biafra activist and self-proclaimed prime minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, Simon Ekpa.
Ekpa is accused of using social media platforms to incite violence in Nigeria’s Southeast, according to authorities.
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He lived in Finland for over a decade and even holds Finnish citizenship. The charges stem from a joint investigation by Finnish and Nigerian officials following Ekpa’s arrest in November 2024.
Ekpa is also being charged with terrorism, tax fraud, and weapons-related offenses. The reports indicate that Ekpa orchestrated violence through online broadcasts, where he reportedly called for attacks in Nigeria’s Igbo-dominated Southeast region.
His tax fraud accusations involve undeclared income tied to his activism, while the weapons charges relate to alleged illegal possession or distribution.
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Ekpa is currently being held in custody as the case continues. He has denied all charges brought up against him. He claimed that his activism is a legitimate expression of free speech and a call for self-determination for the Biafran people
His defense attorney, Markus Mattsson, argued that the evidence from Nigerian authorities lacks credibility and that the charges are potentially politically motivated and inconsistencies in the documentation.