Ekpa appeals six-year Finland jail sentence

Pro-Biafra separatist campaigner, Simon Ekpa, has appealed the six-year prison sentence imposed on him by a Finnish court over terrorism-related offences.

The Finnish prosecutor handling the case has also filed an appeal, contending that the sentence was too lenient and should be increased.

BBC Pidgin reported that 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 charged with offences including incitement to terrorism and participation in the activities of a terrorist organisation.

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

The court ruled that Ekpa exploited his large social media following between August 2021 and November 2024 to fuel tensions in Nigeria’s South-East.

It further described him as an influential figure within a militant separatist movement campaigning for an independent Biafra and found that he facilitated the supply of weapons, explosives and ammunition to groups in Nigeria through his network.

The court also held that Ekpa used X, formerly Twitter, to encourage followers to commit crimes in Nigeria.

Beyond the terrorism-related convictions, he was found guilty of aggravated tax fraud and an offence under 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).

The Nigerian Federal Government designated Ekpa a “terrorism financier” in March 2025.

The Court of Appeal will now consider both Ekpa’s challenge to his conviction and sentence and the prosecution’s request for a longer prison term.