LAHTI / HELSINKI, October 15, 2026 — Finland’s Eastern Court of Appeal on Thursday reduced the prison sentence of Nigerian-born pro-Biafra activist Simon Ekpa from six years to four years, while upholding his convictions on terrorism-related charges.
The court confirmed the September 2025 ruling of the Päijät-Häme District Court, which found Ekpa guilty of participating in the activities of a terrorist organisation and publicly inciting crimes for terrorist purposes.
The charges stemmed from his alleged role in directing or supporting armed groups operating in southeastern Nigeria between August 2021 and November 2024.
According to the original indictment accepted by the district court, Ekpa, operating from his home in Lahti, Finland, acted as a key figure for several armed groups seeking to re-establish an independent state of Biafra. Prosecutors said the groups carried out attacks on police stations, government buildings and military checkpoints. The court also found that Ekpa used his large social media following to encourage violence and was involved in efforts to supply weapons, explosives and ammunition.
Ekpa, 41, who moved to Finland from Nigeria in 2007 and later acquired Finnish citizenship, has denied the charges. He previously served as a local politician representing the National Coalition Party in Lahti. He has been in custody since November 2024. In addition to the terrorism offences, the district court convicted him of aggravated tax fraud and violating provisions of Finland’s Advocates Act.
Both Ekpa and the prosecution appealed the district court’s decision. Ekpa argued that the political turmoil and conflict in the Biafra region meant his actions lacked terrorist intent and should instead be viewed under international humanitarian law. Prosecutors sought a longer sentence, contending that the six-year term did not adequately reflect the seriousness of the offences.
In its judgment delivered on Thursday, the Court of Appeal rejected Ekpa’s central defence that a full non-international armed conflict or civil war existed in the region. It noted that the fighting was too sporadic and intermittent to meet the legal threshold for civil war under international standards, and that there had been no reports of significant civilian displacement.
However, the court found that the circumstances surrounding Ekpa’s offences closely resembled situations involving civil war, self-defence or a state of necessity. Citing Chapter 6, Section 8 of the Finnish Criminal Code, the judges ruled that these exceptional conditions justified commuting the sentence from six years to four years while maintaining the terrorism convictions.
The Court of Appeal’s decision is not yet final and can be appealed to the Supreme Court.
The case has drawn international attention due to Ekpa’s high-profile role in the Biafra separatist movement and his large online following. Finnish authorities have maintained that the prosecution concerns specific criminal acts under Finnish law rather than political advocacy.
Simon Ekpa remains in custody pending any further appeals.
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