A Finnish Court of Appeal has reduced the prison sentence of pro-Biafran campaigner Simon Ekpa from six years to four years while upholding his convictions on terrorism-related charges.
According to Finnish public broadcaster Yle, appeal court upheld decision of Päijät-Häme District Court, which found Ekpa guilty of participating in terrorist organisation and publicly inciting crimes for terrorist purposes.
The court reduced his sentence after considering circumstances surrounding his activities, noting that situation in south-eastern Nigeria closely resembled civil war but did not meet legal definition of one.
Ekpa had argued during appeal that his involvement in region’s political turmoil was not motivated by terrorist intent. Prosecutor also challenged original judgment, arguing that six-year prison term did not adequately reflect seriousness of his offences.
However, appeal court maintained Ekpa’s convictions for two terrorism-related offences.
Ruling is not final and can still be challenged before higher court.
Case relates to Ekpa’s activities between August 2021 and November 2024, when district court found that he had used his substantial social media following to fuel tensions in Biafra region as part of efforts to establish independent state in south-eastern Nigeria.
Ekpa moved from Nigeria to Finland in 2007 and is long-term resident of Lahti. He previously served on Finnish city’s council, representing National Coalition Party.
His latest legal setback follows his conviction in September 2025, when Päijät-Häme District Court sentenced him to six years in prison for terrorism-related offences and other crimes.
District court found him guilty of participating in terrorist organisation and inciting crimes for terrorist purposes. It also convicted him of aggravated tax fraud and violating provisions of Lawyers Act.
Court further found that Ekpa had supplied armed groups with weapons, explosives and ammunition through his network of contacts and encouraged followers on X, formerly Twitter, to commit crimes in Nigeria.
Ekpa denied charges during his trial.
His arrest in Finland in November 2024 followed investigations into alleged separatist activities linked to efforts to establish independent Biafran state.
Biafra, in south-eastern Nigeria, declared independence in 1967, triggering civil war that lasted until 1970, when secessionist bid ended.
Appeal court’s decision leaves Ekpa’s terrorism-related convictions intact but reduces length of his prison sentence by two years.
