The terrorism trial of Simon Ekpa, a municipal politician from Lahti, Finland, and originally from Nigeria’s Biafra region, began on Friday at the Päijät-Häme District Court. The Finnish prosecutor is seeking a minimum prison sentence of six years for Ekpa on multiple terrorism-related charges.
Ekpa faces accusations including participation in a terrorist group and public incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes. This trial marks the first time such charges have been brought under this criminal framework in Finland.
According to the prosecution, Ekpa used his public platforms and writings to encourage violent actions linked to the Biafran separatist movement in southeastern Nigeria. State Prosecutor Sampsa Hakala told Finland’s public broadcaster Yle that Ekpa aimed to instill fear in the Nigerian population and unlawfully pressure the Nigerian government to withdraw security forces from the region.
“We have a lot of evidence of this person’s activities online and his communications,” Hakala said, adding that the evidence clearly outlines the alleged offenses.
Further allegations claim Ekpa coordinated from Finland, including ordering weapons for armed groups operating in Nigeria. He faces three alternative indictments under different legal classifications related to terrorism.
Ekpa denies all charges. His defense lawyer, Kaarle Gummerus, stressed that the trial must determine whether Ekpa had any involvement in violent acts in the Biafra region and questioned the reliability of information from Nigeria.
“The central question is whether my client was involved in or directing the acts,” Gummerus said, reiterating Ekpa’s complete rejection of the terrorism allegations.
In addition to terrorism charges, Ekpa faces accusations of aggravated tax fraud and breaches of Finland’s Attorneys Act, which will be addressed after the Midsummer holiday.
During Friday’s court session, the prosecution presented social media messages Ekpa allegedly posted on platform X (formerly Twitter). The court has set aside several days for the main hearing.
Simon Ekpa, a former athlete who moved to Finland in 2007, has been active in local politics as a member of the National Coalition Party and served on Lahti’s public transport board.
The trial’s outcome may set a significant precedent for Finnish law and international cooperation against transnational terrorism and online incitement.
