The Simon Ekpa-led Biafra Republic Government in Exile(BRGIE) has boldly stated that the Finland Court and Nigeria are scared of Biafra.
The BRGIE claimed that this was the primary reason for its leader, Simon Ekpa’s six-year jail term.
Recall that on Monday, September 1, 2025, the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland sentenced Ekpa to six years in prison for acts related to terrorism.
In the past 48 hours, both the Nigerian government and citizens have responded to the punishment. However, the BRGIE has vowed to appeal Simon Ekpa’s punishment.
This was revealed in a formal announcement on Thursday by Hon. Ogechukwu Nkere, the Acting Prime Minister of BRGIE.
Nkere described the Finnish Court judgement as a ‘biased conclusion of judicial authority controlled by pressure from above’.
It argued that judgment is devoid of clarity between legitimate political activism, global free speech and terrorism.
The Finnish court found Ekpa guilty, according to BRGIE, “mainly for his social media activities championing Biafran independence over decades of marginalisation post-Nigeria’s civil war.”
The Biafra group denounced the Finnish court’s claims that Ekpa “provided groups with weapons, explosives, and ammunition” through his networks, pointing out that there is no circumstantial evidence to support such a position and that the language is driven by pressure from the Nigerian government.
The group vowed to increase pressure for Biafran independence in Washington, DC, in the United States.
It further claimed that Simon Ekpa’s release is guaranteed and that the court decisions will be appealed.
READ ALSO: Ohanaeze euphoric, applaud Ekpa’s timely conviction in Finland court
It added that Biafrans should be happy because Ekpa’s sentence in Finland has placed the PM and Biafra independence on the world stage.
“Now that Europe understands clearly our case, we shall mount more pressure in Washington, DC. We will appeal this court verdict, & our prime minister will join us later, convicting the Biafra independence icon.
“Simon Ekpa Njoku is guilty of committing terrorism offences because of standing up for the voices of over 80 million Biafrans yearning for Biafra’s independence restoration is a shame to Finland’s integrity.
“BRGIE being the legal entity for Biafra independence wishes to tell biafrans globally that we have recorded another victory in european region, if you fight for independence and the country you are fighting against don’t gang up against you or get scared of you then it means you have not started yet.
“Nigeria got scared of biafra independence to the point that they have called on all international communities to stop biafrans abroad from hosting media discussions about Biafran independence.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, a Biafra leader, was kidnapped in Kenya because of the fear of Nigeria against Biafra independence. Amnesty International recorded that over 150 peaceful IPOB members were killed in 2016 and over 1000 killed between 2023-2025, all these reports are available in the media.
“At this point, the Biafra independence declaration call has been heard in the European court; they are now aware of what Biafra means.
“Every Biafran should be happy that we have come this far.
“BRGIE PM, Simon Ekpa is just our voice and eye to the world, while Biafrans back home will restore Biafra fully – we are ready.
“Now that Europe understands our case clearly, we shall mount more pressure in Washington DC. BRGIE will appeal this court verdict, & our prime minister will join us later.
“The Päijät-Häme district court in Finland has sentenced Simon Ekpa, a former Lahti councillor, to six years in prison after convicting him of terrorism-related crimes, aggravated tax fraud, and breaching Finland’s Lawyers Act.
“The ruling, delivered on Monday 1 September, according to the court, adjudicated that Ekpa played a central role in promoting separatist violence in Nigeria’s Biafra region between August 2021 and November 2024.
“Judges concluded that he used his large following on social media to incite crimes with terrorist intent and to strengthen a movement seeking independence for Biafra.
“Where in this 21st century has a call for Biafran independence sovereignty become a terrorist act? Finland court assertions that Ekpa ‘equipped groups with weapons, explosives, and ammunition’ through his networks lack circumstantial evidence.
“This rhetoric is influenced by pressure from the Nigerian government, which has long sought to silence Biafran voices using the Nigerian court, police, navy, army, air force, civil defence, Ebubeagu, Fulani Islamic jihadist terrorist groups, Udokachi, Akunechemba, recruited Fulani vigilantes, senators, governors & community chiefs,” the group alleged.
It stressed claimed that, “There is no evidence of Ekpa ordering weapons during this trial; this alone exposes the reliability of the prosecution of our PM, Simon Ekpa.
“Charges of aggravated tax fraud and violating the lawyers’ act seemed tagged on him to accelerate the sentence to the happiness of the Nigerian government.
“Owing to the economic ties with Finland, it serves to drive attention from the main issue of why Simon Ekpa was taken to court, which was Biafra: whether advocating for self-determination and Biafra independence aggressively constitutes terrorism.
“Finland now prioritises their international relations with Nigeria, undermining the very democratic principles Finland claims to uphold.”
