Simon Ekpa appeals six-year terrorism sentence in Finland

Pro-Biafra separatist campaigner Simon Ekpa has appealed the six-year prison sentence handed to him by a Finnish court for terrorism-related offences.

The Finnish prosecutor handling the case has also lodged an appeal, arguing that the sentence imposed on Ekpa was too lenient given the nature of the offences, according to BBC Pidgin.

The Finnish Court of Appeal is expected to consider the appeals within the next three weeks.

Ekpa was arrested by Finnish authorities in November 2024 and later charged with inciting terrorism and participating in the activities of a terrorist group.

In September 2025, the Päijät-Häme District Court found him guilty and sentenced him to six years in prison.

The court said Ekpa had used his “significant social media following” to fuel tensions in Nigeria’s South-East between August 2021 and November 2024.

It also described him as an influential figure in a militant separatist movement seeking the establishment of an independent Biafra state in south-eastern Nigeria.

According to the court, Ekpa supplied weapons, explosives and ammunition to certain groups through a network of contacts in the region. It further found that he encouraged followers on X, formerly known as Twitter, to commit crimes in Nigeria.

Beyond the terrorism-related convictions, Ekpa was also found guilty of aggravated tax fraud and violating provisions of Finland’s Attorneys Act.

Ekpa has previously described himself as a disciple of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

In March 2025, the Nigerian Federal Government designated Ekpa as a “terrorism financier”.

The forthcoming appeal will determine whether the six-year sentence stands, is reduced or increased following the separate appeals by Ekpa and the Finnish prosecution.