Terrorism links, tax fraud — what landed Simon Ekpa in prison revealed

On September 1, 2025, the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland brought a dramatic close to the long legal battle surrounding Simon Ekpa, a controversial figure who for years positioned himself as a torchbearer of the Biafra separatist movement. Once known as a lawyer and former Lahti municipal politician, Ekpa is now a convicted terrorist, handed a six-year prison sentence for offences ranging from terrorism to aggravated tax fraud.

The court’s ruling not only marks the personal downfall of a man who leveraged social media to shape separatist discourse but also sheds light on how digital platforms and diasporan politics intersect with crime, extremism, and global security.

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A Web of Terrorism Allegations

According to court documents sighted by BBC News Pidgin and confirmed in Finnish legal records, Ekpa’s activities stretched over three years—from August 2021 to November 2024. During this period, the court found that he systematically sought to “promote the independence of the so-called Biafra region in south-eastern Nigeria by illegal means.”

At the center of the terrorism convictions was his use of social media. Ekpa, the court noted, exploited platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to build a politically influential persona. In doing so, he positioned himself as a major voice within Nigeria’s fragmented separatist movements. But unlike mere advocacy, the judges found that his rhetoric and directives crossed into criminal territory.

Through livestreams, posts, and digital broadcasts, he allegedly urged his followers to commit crimes back home in Nigeria, urging violent action in pursuit of secession. The ruling painted a picture of a man who not only incited but also actively worked to organize and strengthen separatist groups, many of which engaged in armed violence.

Building Armed Networks from Afar

Perhaps the most damning finding was Ekpa’s direct role in fostering militant groups. The Finnish court determined that he was not just a commentator but a facilitator, using his connections to equip armed separatists with weapons, explosives, and ammunition. These groups, the court stressed, were recognized as terrorist organizations.

What began as diaspora activism morphed into something far more sinister—an “increasingly organized” movement under his leadership. The judges concluded that his activities amounted to actively developing separatist militancy into structured, dangerous networks capable of real-world violence.

Other Offences Beyond Terrorism

While terrorism took center stage, the court also convicted Ekpa of aggravated tax fraud and violations of the Lawyers Act. These findings further complicated his image, suggesting that his personal conduct was marred by financial and professional impropriety alongside political extremism.

The tax fraud conviction indicated deliberate efforts to evade legal obligations, while the violation of legal professional codes underscored a fall from grace for someone once trained to uphold the rule of law.

Denial and Defiance

Throughout the proceedings, Ekpa denied all charges. His defense argued that he was simply exercising political speech and advocating for self-determination. But the judges disagreed, stressing that the evidence pointed not to free expression but to incitement, material support, and deliberate organization of violent activities.

The trial itself was rigorous, lasting from May 30 to June 25, 2025, across 12 hearing days. A panel of three judges heard the case and unanimously reached the guilty verdict.

A Broader Context: Biafra and the Diaspora

Ekpa’s case is emblematic of a wider tension: the role of diaspora activists in shaping separatist movements in Nigeria. While some see figures like him as champions of marginalised voices, others argue they fuel violence without facing its direct consequences.

In Nigeria, the Biafra question remains a deeply sensitive issue, tied to historical wounds of the civil war and ongoing struggles with governance and marginalization. Ekpa, operating from Finland, capitalized on these sentiments—but the court’s findings suggest he turned political frustration into a platform for terrorism.

What This Means Going Forward

With Ekpa now ordered to remain in custody, the ruling sends a strong message about accountability across borders. It highlights how states like Finland are increasingly unwilling to allow their territories to be used as bases for exporting violence, even if under the guise of political activism.

For his supporters, the conviction may fuel claims of persecution and martyrdom. For his critics, it is the long-overdue unraveling of a man they saw as dangerous. For Nigeria and the global community, it raises a sobering question: how should societies navigate the fine line between legitimate political agitation and criminal extremism—especially in the digital age?