Simon Ekpa, a former local politician who represented the National Coalition Party in Lahti and is charged with terrorism offences, at a preparatory hearing at the Päijät-Häme District Court in Lahti on 30 May 2025. Photo: Emmi Korhonen / Lehtikuva
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Simon Ekpa, a former municipal politician and competitive athlete, appeared in court on Friday to face terrorism-related charges in Finland.
The Päijät-Häme District Court held a preparatory hearing in the case, where the prosecution called for a six-year prison sentence. Ekpa is accused of participating in a terrorist organisation and inciting others to commit terrorist crimes.
The charges stem from Ekpa’s reported involvement in an online separatist campaign advocating for the independence of Biafra, a region in southeastern Nigeria.
Prosecutors say the campaign, allegedly directed from Finland, meets the threshold for terrorism under Finnish law.
“We have a great deal of evidence regarding this individual’s online activity and communications,” said state prosecutor Sampsa Hakala during the hearing.
The prosecution also acknowledged the challenges of verifying events that took place outside Finland. The case involves cooperation with Nigerian authorities, who have linked Ekpa’s activities to separatist violence in the region.
Ekpa’s lawyer Kaarle Gummerus raised concerns about the quality of evidence provided by Nigerian
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
