Finnish Lahti municipal politician and self-proclaimed leader of Autopilot faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa, appeared before the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland on Friday to face terrorism-related charges in a preparatory hearing.
Ekpa is accused of participating in a terrorist organisation and publicly inciting crimes for terrorist purposes.
Prosecutors allege that he has been actively involved in a separatist movement seeking independence for the so-called Biafra region in southeastern Nigeria.
The prosecution argues that the activity, conducted online and coordinated from Finland, may constitute terrorism under Finnish law.
Prosecutors are demanding a six-year prison sentence for Ekpa.
“We have a great deal of evidence regarding this individual’s online activity and communications,” said state prosecutor Sampsa Hakala.
The prosecution, however, acknowledged that obtaining detailed information about the alleged terrorism-related acts is difficult, as they are believed to have taken place in Africa.
During the pre-trial hearing on Friday, Ekpa’s lawyer, Kaarle Gummerus, also raised concerns about the reliability of information coming from Nigeria. Finnish police have investigated the case together with Nigerian authorities.
During police interviews, Ekpa denied the charges, which also included suspicions of ordering weapons for pro-Biafra groups. The district court is also examining allegations of aggravated tax fraud.
Born in Biafra, Ekpa moved to Finland in 2007 as an athlete. He has been a member of the National Coalition Party (NCP) and served on Lahti’s public transport board.
