Finland Reduces Simon Ekpa's Terrorism Sentence to Four Years

Finland's Court of Appeal confirmed Simon Ekpa's conviction on terrorism-related charges but reduced his sentence from six years to four years on October 15, 2026. Ekpa, a 41-year-old Nigerian-born resident of Lahti, was originally convicted by Päijät-Häme District Court in 2025 for participating in a terrorist organization and publicly inciting crimes for terrorist purposes.

The charges were linked to his alleged efforts to advocate for the re-establishment of an independent Biafra, a region that briefly declared independence in the late 1960s. The court noted that Ekpa used his significant social media following to inflame tensions between August 2021 and November 2024.

While the appeal court agreed with the guilty verdict, it deemed the original six-year sentence excessive, considering the civil war-like conditions in the Biafra region. Ekpa argued that his actions were politically motivated rather than driven by terrorist intent.

The prosecution had sought a longer sentence, but the appeal court's decision to reduce it allows for potential further appeals.