Finnish Court Reduces Simon Ekpa's Sentence to Four Years

On October 15, 2026, the Finnish Court of Appeal reduced Simon Ekpa's prison sentence from six years to four years while maintaining his conviction on terrorism-related charges. The court upheld the Päijät-Häme District Court's ruling that found Ekpa guilty of participating in a terrorist organization and publicly inciting crimes for terrorist purposes.

Ekpa, who moved to Finland from Nigeria in 2007, was involved in activities aimed at re-establishing an independent state in the Biafra region of southeastern Nigeria. The appeal court noted that while the situation in Biafra resembled a civil war, it did not meet the legal definition of one.

Ekpa had argued that his actions were not driven by terrorist intent. The prosecutor had appealed the original judgment, claiming the six-year sentence did not reflect the seriousness of his offenses.

The ruling can still be appealed to a higher court. Ekpa's activities were linked to his significant social media following, which he used to fuel tensions in the Biafra region between August 2021 and November 2024.