The self-acclaimed leader of Biafra Government in Exile, Mr. Simon Ekpa appeared before the Päijät-Häme District Court on Friday, looking bitter and old as Finnish government commenced his terrorism trial.
News Band reported that Ekpa was arrested in November 2024 on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and terrorism financing.
He was accused of using social media to incite violence and causing unrest in the South-east region, as part of his brutal secessionist campaign.
According to the prosecutors who are demanding a six-year prison sentence for Ekpa, his activities may constitute terrorism under Finnish law.
“We have a great deal of evidence regarding this individual’s online activity and communications,” said state prosecutor Sampsa Hakala.
Though, during interrogations, Ekpa denied ordering weapons for pro-Biafra groups and other allegations against him.
Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish citizen, heads the Autopilot, a break away faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
IPOB is a group leading agitation for an independent state of Biafra, which it wants carved out from the South-east and some parts of the South-south Nigeria.
The separatist group has been linked to some deadly attacks in the two regions, although it has repeatedly denied its involvement in the attacks.
Meanwhile, hours after Mr Ekpa’s arrest, the IPOB faction loyal to Nnamdi Kanu disowned him (Ekpa), explaining that the pro-Biafra agitator was never their member.