The Päijät-Häme District Court in Lahti, Finland, has sentenced Simon Ekpa, a prominent Biafra separatist agitator, to six years in prison for terrorism offences. The court found Ekpa guilty of participating in terrorism, public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent, and participation in a terrorist group. Additionally, he was convicted for aggravated tax fraud. Prosecutors stated that the charges relate to his activities aimed at re-establishing an independent state in Nigeria’s Biafra region, which was briefly independent in the late 1960s. These activities, including the dissemination of separatist propaganda that led to violence, reportedly occurred between August 2021 and November 2024. Ekpa was first arrested in February 2023 and later in November 2024, alongside four others who were suspected of providing financing for terrorist offences, though they were later released during the preliminary investigation.

The Nigerian government has vehemently welcomed the conviction, describing it as a significant victory in the collective fight against terror and a watershed moment for victims of violence linked to Ekpa’s incitement and sponsorship of attacks in Nigeria. Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, stated that Ekpa's reckless actions unleashed unspeakable pain, resulting in shattered families, destroyed businesses, orphaned children, and loss of lives and property in Nigeria's southeast. He emphasized that the Finnish judiciary's decision vindicates Nigeria's consistent position and sends a clear signal to extremists that justice will prevail. The government reiterated its commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and called on those influenced by Ekpa to renounce violence. The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, also lauded the ruling as a landmark victory, asserting that there is no safe haven for individuals or groups who sponsor or encourage acts of terror against Nigeria or any sovereign state, and commended the international cooperation involved.

In contrast, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has again distanced itself from Simon Ekpa, stating that he is not a member of their organization. According to Emmanuel Powerful, IPOB's spokesperson, Ekpa told the Finnish court that he is a