Finnish court reduces Simon Ekpa's terrorism sentence to four years

Finland's Court of Appeal upheld a lower court's conviction of Simon Ekpa on terrorism-related charges on October 15, 2026, but reduced his prison sentence from six years to four years. Ekpa, a 41-year-old who moved to Finland from Nigeria in 2007, was found guilty of participating in a terrorist organisation, publicly inciting crimes for terrorist purposes, and aggravated tax fraud. He was also convicted of violating provisions of the Lawyers Act and supplying armed groups with weapons, explosives, and ammunition.

The charges stemmed from Ekpa's activities between August 2021 and November 2024, when he allegedly used his significant social media following to fuel tensions in the Biafra region of southeastern Nigeria as part of efforts to establish an independent state there. Biafra briefly declared independence in 1967, triggering a civil war that lasted until 1970. Ekpa, a long-term resident of Lahti who previously served on the city's council representing the National Coalition Party, was arrested in November 2024 following investigations into alleged separatist activities.

In reducing the sentence, the appeal court considered the circumstances surrounding Ekpa's actions, noting that the situation in the Biafra region closely resembled but did not meet the legal definition of a civil war. Ekpa had argued during the appeal that his involvement in the region's political turmoil was not driven by terrorist intent. The prosecutor, however, had appealed the original judgment arguing that the six-year term did not adequately reflect the seriousness of the offences.

Ekpa denied all charges during trial. The appeal court's verdict is not final and can still be appealed to a higher court.