The Nigerian government has reacted to Simon Ekpa’s conviction by a Finnish court on Monday, September 1, 2025.
Ekpa, a Nigerian-born Finnish citizen was sentenced to six years in prison by the Päijät-Häme District Court for terrorism-related offenses.
Ekpa was found guilty of participating in the activities of a terrorist group, inciting the public to commit crimes for terrorist purposes, engaging in aggravated tax fraud, and violating the Lawyers Act.
The judges found that he allegedly supplied these groups with weapons, explosives, and ammunition, and encouraged followers on X (formerly Twitter) to commit crimes in Nigeria.
Reacting to Simon Ekpa’s conviction Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, praised the ruling.
Idris also commended the government of Finland, adding that the judgment is “a major victory for the Nigerian people in the collective fight against terror.”
“We welcome the news of Simon Ekpa’s conviction by a Finnish court for terrorism-related crimes and his sentencing to six years in prison. A major victory for the Nigerian people in the collective fight against terror,” Mohammed wrote on his official handle on X.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that Ekpa’s troubles began after he was arrested by Finnish authorities on November 21, 2024, following an investigation by the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Police authorities in Finland investigated Ekpa over alleged use of social media to spread separatist propaganda, incite violence, and promote unrest in Nigeria’s southeast, particularly in relation to the Biafra independence movement.
Following a preliminary investigation, Ekpa was charged in court on allegations of public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent, participation in a terrorist group, aggravated tax fraud, and violations of Finland’s Lawyers Act.
During court proceedings, prosecutors presented evidence of Ekpa’s alleged online activities, including posts and broadcasts that allegedly fueled violence against civilians and authorities in Nigeria.
