The Finnish Päijät-Häme District Court specifically cited that Simon Ekpa was found to have supplied armed groups within the Biafran separatist movement with weapons, explosives, and ammunition through his network of contacts.

The court indicated that Ekpa helped establish and equip these armed factions, which were classified as terrorist organizations.

This involvement included logistical support by providing these groups with weapons and explosive materials. The court also noted that Ekpa incited his followers on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to commit crimes in Nigeria, reinforcing his active role in supporting violent separatist activities.

However, the detailed nature of the evidence—such as physical confiscations, witness testimony, intercepted communications, or financial trails—was not fully disclosed in the available summaries.

The conviction was based on investigations conducted by Finnish authorities, including the National Bureau of Investigation. They linked Ekpa through his contact networks to the provision of these arms and explosives.

The court’s verdict, delivered unanimously by a three-judge panel after 12 hearing days, found Ekpa guilty of these terrorism-related offenses. More so, he is being convicted for aggravated tax fraud and violations of the Lawyers Act. Charges cover offenses primarily between August 2021 and November 2024.

This information is based on Finnish court documents and news reports from reliable sources covering the trial and verdict.

The Nigerian Government has been unsuccessful in making a deal with the Finnish government for the extradition of Simon Ekpa. However, the FG lists him among 17 sanctioned individuals whose accounts are frozen on alleged terrorism.

The FG is yet to release a new update on the extradition, but shared its satisfaction with the recent news. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, publicly commended the Finnish court’s decision. He describes the sentencing as a major success for Nigeria’s collective efforts against terror.