The trial of Simon Ekpa, the controversial Biafra agitator,
commenced at the Päijät-Häme district court on Friday.
Ekpa was charged with “public incitement to commit a crime
with terrorist intent” and “participation in a terrorist group”.
The Biafra agitator had denied all charges during a police
investigation.
According to Yle, a Finnish media outlet, Ekpa appeared in
court alongside his lawyer, Kaarle Gummerus.
The publication said the prosecutor is demanding a minimum
prison sentence of six years for Ekpa.
Speaking with Yle before the preparatory session, Sampsa
Hakala, the state prosecutor, said Ekpa is suspected of inciting crimes in
Nigeria and having participated in the activities of a terrorist group from
Finland.
“We have a lot of evidence of this person’s activities on
the internet and his communications. So far, it’s a pretty good picture of what
we think happened in this matter,” Hakala said.
Hakala, however, said obtaining accurate information about
the suspected terrorist acts remains challenging, largely because the incidents
occurred in Africa.
Ekpa’s lawyer questioned the veracity of information
obtained from Nigeria during the preparatory session.
Speaking after the session, Gummerus said the legal
proceedings will clarify whether Ekpa was involved or his actions led to the
violence in the south-east geopolitical zone of Nigeria.
Ekpa’s lawyer said his client has denied the terrorism
charges.
Yle also reported that the prosecution presented as evidence
Ekpa’s X post during the main hearing.
The Finnish authorities have also filed charges bordering on
“suspicion of aggravated tax fraud and violation of the provisions of the
Attorneys Act” against Ekpa.
On Monday, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) condemned the decision by Finnish authorities to schedule the trial of Ekpa on May 30, 2025.
The day was set aside by IPOB to commemorate the memory of
martyrs from the Biafra war.
The group said Ekpa is not a member of IPOB and has been
publicly disowned by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the group.
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