The Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland on Monday, September 1, 2025, sentenced Simon Ekpa, the self-styled “Prime Minister” of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), to six years in prison for terrorism-related offences and aggravated tax fraud.
The court found Ekpa guilty of public incitement to commit crimes, membership in a terrorist organization, cyberterrorism, supplying arms to armed separatist groups, and aggravated tax evasion. Prosecutors established that between August 2021 and November 2024, he used his wide social media influence, especially on platform X, to incite violence, direct separatist armed groups, and mobilize funds to procure weapons and explosives used in violent attacks in southeastern Nigeria.
Ekpa, a Nigerian-born Finnish citizen who relocated to Lahti in 2007, was once a local councillor and legal adviser before becoming a leading voice for the separatist cause. In 2022, he declared the activation of the Biafra Government in Exile, later styling himself as its “Prime Minister.” In 2024, he even spearheaded a controversial “self-referendum” on Biafra’s independence, claiming millions of participants online and offline.
The Finnish court further ruled that his activities not only endangered lives in Nigeria but also violated Finnish laws on terrorism and financial integrity. His assets had earlier been frozen, and he was detained in November 2024 alongside several suspects during a wide counter-terrorism operation.
Reactions From Nigeria
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had in January 2025 commended Finland for its decisive action in curbing Ekpa’s activities, describing his campaigns as “divisive and dangerous to Nigeria’s unity.” The President emphasized that his government would not tolerate any attempt to destabilize the country, stressing Nigeria’s commitment to the rule of law and strong bilateral relations with Finland.
Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters had earlier sought Ekpa’s extradition, accusing him of funding and coordinating separatist violence from the safety of Finland. Security officials insisted that his constant calls for sit-at-home orders and violent protests in the southeast amounted to direct sabotage of Nigeria’s sovereignty.
The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation worked closely with Nigerian authorities, with both sides sharing intelligence that eventually nailed Ekpa. His conviction, though significant, is not yet final as the ruling may still be appealed.
Supporters And International Reactions
Despite the conviction, pro-Biafra loyalists remain defiant. Ekpa had already declared the “restoration of Biafra” during a convention in Finland in late 2024, and BRGIE continues to issue symbolic statements calling for independence.
The Organisation of Emerging African States (OEAS) condemned Finland’s ruling, accusing Helsinki of collaborating with Nigeria to suppress the right of self-determination. However, mainstream global reactions have leaned toward commending Finland’s commitment to international law and counterterrorism.
Ekpa’s jailing marks a dramatic turning point in the long-running Biafra question, sending a strong message that incitement, cross-border terrorism, and financial crimes will not go unpunished—whether in Nigeria or abroad.
Editorial Commentary
Simon Ekpa’s fall from self-styled “Prime Minister” to convicted felon serves as a cautionary tale. For years, he weaponized social media, fueled unrest, and encouraged bloodshed from a safe distance. But no throne built on fear and manipulation endures. Power acquired through chaos is fleeting; justice, though sometimes delayed, eventually catches up.
For separatist leaders, politicians, and even those in government today, this verdict is a reminder: the world is watching. The strength of a leader is not measured by how much division he sows, but by how much peace he builds. When the dust of ambition settles, it is not the noise of violence that history remembers, but the quiet courage of those who chose unity over destruction.