A Finnish court has sentenced the self-acclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra Government In Exile (BRIGE), Simon Ekpa to six years imprisonment for terrorism offences and tax fraud.
According to court document, the 40-year-old former Lahti Municipal politician was engaged in activities of terrorism by inciting the public to commit crime for terrorist purposes, engage for aggravated tax fraud and violating the Attorneys Act.
The Päijät-Häme District Court held that Ekpa sought to promote the independence of the Biafra region in South-eastern Nigeria by illegal means between August 2021 and November 2024.
The court said he used social media to build a politically influential position while supporting groups designated as terrorist organisations.
“Ekpa urged and enticed his followers on his X account to commit crimes in Nigeria,” the court stated.
The court added that the movement under Ekpa established armed groups, supplied with weapons, explosives, and ammunition through his network of contacts.
The conviction marks the most high-profile ruling in Finland involving terrorism-related offences linked to Nigeria.