Finland’s Appeal Court Reduces Simon Ekpa’s Jail Term to Four Years

Finland’s Court of Appeal has reduced the prison sentence of Nigerian separatist agitator Simon Ekpa from six years to four years, while upholding his conviction on terrorism-related charges.

The ruling, reported by Finnish public broadcaster Yle on Thursday, affirmed the decision of the Päijät-Häme District Court, which found Ekpa guilty of participating in a terrorist organisation and publicly inciting crimes for terrorist purposes.

The charges were linked to his activities aimed at establishing an independent Biafran state in south-eastern Nigeria.

The appeal court reduced the sentence after considering the circumstances surrounding the offences. It noted that the security situation in the region closely resembled a civil war but did not meet the legal criteria required to be classified as one.

Ekpa had argued during the appeal that his involvement in the political conflict in south-eastern Nigeria was not motivated by terrorist intent. He also presented arguments concerning the nature of the armed conflict in the region.

The prosecution had separately appealed the original sentence, arguing that the six-year prison term did not adequately reflect the seriousness of the offences.

The appeal court nevertheless upheld Ekpa’s conviction for the same terrorism-related crimes established by the lower court.

The case concerned activities between August 2021 and November 2024. The district court had found that Ekpa used his substantial social media following to heighten tensions in the south-east as part of efforts to establish an independent Biafran state.

The lower court also convicted him of aggravated tax fraud and violating provisions of Finland’s Lawyers Act. Those offences were not under review in the appeal proceedings.

Ekpa, who moved from Nigeria to Finland in 2007, is a long-term resident of Lahti and previously served on the city council.

He was arrested by Finnish authorities in November 2024 following investigations into his alleged separatist activities. In September 2025, the district court sentenced him to six years in prison.

The appeal court’s ruling is not final and may still be challenged before a higher court.