Simon Ekpa, a 40-year-old former local politician from Lahti, Finland, has been convicted of terrorism charges by the District Court of Päijät-Häme.
FCNN gathered that he was sentenced to 6 years in prison for his involvement in promoting the secession of the Biafran region in southeastern Nigeria through illegal means.
Participating in the activities of a terrorist group,public incitement to commit offenses for terrorist purposes,aggravated tax fraud, and violating regulations governing the conduct of lawyers.
Ekpa, born in the Biafra region, used social media to gain influence and assumed a leadership role in a Nigerian separatist movement.
He allegedly helped establish and develop the movement’s operations into an organized structure.
The court classified armed groups operating under the separatist movement as terrorist organizations.
Ekpa claimed he was an “average supporter of Nigeria” until he learned of government-backed forces attacking his home community in Biafra, killing three women from a group of widows he supported.
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He denied involvement with the separatist group IPOB and claimed his role as “Prime Minister of the Biafran government-in-exile” was ceremonial.
He stated he had no authority over local government or armed groups and targeted people outside Biafra.
The court found Ekpa guilty on all charges and sentenced him to 6 years in prison.
