The Finnish prosecutors have charged, Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian separatist figure and self-styled Prime Minister of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa, with inciting terrorism online.
The Finland’s National Prosecution Authority, said the charges include public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent and involvement in a terrorist group.
According to the Finish prosecutors, the alleged offences took place in Lahti between 2021 and 2024 and are directly linked to Ekpa’s push for an independent State of Biafra in the Southeast region of Nigeria.
Ekpa is suspected of committing the crimes between August 2021 and November 2024, specifically suspected in spreading separatist propaganda from his home in Lahti.
It was gathered that the police are investigating the case together with Nigerian authorities, as Ekpa’s activities are believed to have led to violence and other crimes against civilians and authorities in Southeastern Nigeria.
Even though the statement did not name the individual involved, the Finnish broadcaster YLE identified the suspect as Simon Ekpa, who has been in custody since November 2024.
It was gathered that Ekpa denied the allegations which claims that he leads a government-in-exile for Biafra and that is associated with a faction of IPOB, a separatist movement active in Nigeria.
Ekpa, who is a dual Finnish-Nigerian citizen has also served as a local representative of Finland’s National Coalition Party in Lahti, including serving on its public transport committee.
Authorities had initially detained four others suspected of financing Ekpa’s activities, but prosecutors later dropped their charges owing to insufficient evidence.
The charges were however filed on Friday, May 16, as scheduled for the case that will be heard in Päijät-Häme District Court in Lahti.
However, a hearing date has not yet been set.
