Finnish Prosecutors Seek Six-Year Jail Term For Simon Ekpa Over Terrorism Charges
Finnish prosecutors have requested a six-year prison sentence for pro-Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, who is facing terrorism-related charges.
Ekpa appeared before the Päijät-Häme District Court on Friday for a preparatory hearing, where the state prosecutor, Sampsa Hakala, said there was substantial evidence of his online activities and digital communications.
Hakala acknowledged difficulties in gathering credible information, especially as most of the suspected crimes allegedly occurred in Africa.
The charges against Ekpa also include aggravated tax fraud and suspicions of attempting to procure weapons for pro-Biafra groups.
Through his lawyer, Kaarle Gummerus, Ekpa denied the allegations and questioned the reliability of information sourced from Nigeria.
The court had earlier remanded him in custody for allegedly inciting crimes with terrorist intent. Finnish and Nigerian authorities are jointly investigating the case.
Ekpa, who claims to be the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, was arrested in November 2024 alongside four others for suspected terrorism financing and incitement to violence via social media, which reportedly targeted civilians and government forces in Nigeria’s South-East.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
