Simon Ekpa Appoints New Lawyer Ahead of Terrorism Trial in Finland
Controversial Biafra separatist leader Simon Ekpa has appointed a new legal representative as he prepares to face trial in Finland this June.
Ekpa, a dual citizen of Nigeria and Finland, is at the centre of a high-profile case involving terrorism allegations linked to his online activities. He was arrested in November 2024 by Finnish law enforcement and subsequently detained by the district court of Päijät-Häme on charges of “spreading terrorist propaganda on social media.”
The charges stem from incidents dating back to 2021 in Lahti, a municipality in southern Finland. Finnish authorities allege that Ekpa used his social media platforms to incite violence and promote terror in Nigeria’s southeastern region. His controversial messages, often aligned with the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), have drawn international attention and sharp condemnation from Nigerian officials.
Nigeria has repeatedly called for Ekpa’s extradition to face prosecution at home. However, those efforts have yet to yield results, with Finnish courts maintaining jurisdiction over the case.
In March 2025, Nigeria’s Sanctions Committee formally named Ekpa among 17 individuals and entities accused of financing terrorism. The committee ordered the immediate freezing of all associated bank accounts.
As the legal battle intensifies, Ekpa has parted ways with his former attorney, who retired from legal practice. His new counsel, Kaarle Gummerus, confirmed to the BBC Pidgin service that he has received the pre-trial case file and is currently reviewing the charges.
Gummerus stated that his client remains in custody, with the alleged offences considered non-bailable under Finnish law. Ekpa is expected to appear in court in June 2025, where he will formally face the charges brought against him.
The case continues to stoke tension between Finland and Nigeria, while drawing international scrutiny over the reach and responsibility of political activism in the digital age.
