KUOPIO, Finland — A Finnish appeals court has reduced the prison sentence of Simon Ekpa from six years to four while upholding his terrorism convictions.
The Eastern Finland Court of Appeal delivered the ruling on Thursday, October 15, 2026, rejecting the Nigerian-born separatist leader’s argument that his activities were protected under the laws governing armed conflicts.
Ekpa, 41, had been convicted of participating in a terrorist organisation and publicly encouraging crimes for terrorist purposes in connection with violence in Nigeria’s South-East.
The judges upheld those findings but ruled that the circumstances surrounding his offences justified a lighter sentence.
The decision does not end his imprisonment, and both the prosecution and defence may seek permission to appeal to Finland’s Supreme Court.
Court Rejects Civil War Defence
In its official judgment summary, the appeals court said it accepted the lower court’s findings that Ekpa had directed armed separatist groups operating in southeastern Nigeria.
However, the judges examined new evidence presented by his defence concerning the nature of the fighting between Nigerian security forces and separatist groups.
Ekpa had argued that the hostilities amounted to a non-international armed conflict and should therefore be assessed under international humanitarian law rather than Finland’s domestic terrorism legislation.
The court considered evidence of the weapons used by both sides, the organisation of the armed groups, and the frequency and intensity of fighting.
It acknowledged that Nigerian security forces had deployed heavy equipment, including armoured vehicles and combat helicopters.
The separatist groups under Ekpa’s leadership were also found to possess organised fighting units equipped primarily with assault rifles and machine guns.
Nevertheless, the judges concluded that the fighting did not meet the legal threshold for classification as a civil war.
They found that attacks were relatively sporadic and primarily targeted police stations, government facilities, and military checkpoints.
The court also said prosecutors had not established that the armed groups possessed the capacity to conduct sustained military operations requiring extensive strategic planning.
Evidence of substantial civilian displacement was another factor considered by the judges.
Despite rejecting Ekpa’s central defence, the court determined that the circumstances resembled situations involving armed conflict, self-defence, and necessity.
It consequently applied a provision of Finland’s Criminal Code allowing a reduced punishment in particular circumstances.
The court did not overturn the terrorism convictions.
Earlier Court Found Ekpa Directed Armed Groups From Finland
Ekpa was originally sentenced to six years in prison by the Päijät-Häme District Court in September 2025.
As The Trent previously reported, the district court found that he had used his social media platforms and network of contacts to support violent separatist activities in Nigeria.
Prosecutors established that he had operated from Lahti, Finland, between August 2021 and November 2024.
The court found that Ekpa had helped establish and direct armed groups seeking to create an independent Biafran state.
It also concluded that he had facilitated the supply of weapons, explosives, and ammunition to separatist fighters.
Investigators presented evidence of online broadcasts and social media communications encouraging attacks against Nigerian security personnel and government institutions.
Ekpa denied the charges.
The district court nevertheless found him guilty of participating in a terrorist organisation and publicly inciting offences for terrorist purposes.
He was also convicted of aggravated tax fraud and violating provisions of Finland’s legislation governing lawyers.
The appeals court said those two additional offences were no longer under review in the latest proceedings.
The original prosecution was conducted following investigations involving Finnish authorities and their Nigerian counterparts.
Ekpa was arrested in Finland in November 2024 and has remained in custody.
According to Finnish broadcaster Yle, both Ekpa and prosecutors challenged the original judgment.
While his defence sought to overturn the terrorism findings, prosecutors argued that the initial six-year sentence did not adequately reflect the seriousness of the offences.
Neither side secured the outcome it had sought.
Attacks Decline in Nigeria’s South-East After Arrest
Ekpa’s continued detention has coincided with a reduction in reported separatist-linked attacks across Nigeria’s South-East.
The region experienced years of violence associated with armed separatist groups, including attacks on security personnel, civilians, and public facilities.
Weekly sit-at-home directives also disrupted economic activities across Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states.
Residents who attempted to open businesses or travel during some of the shutdowns were attacked by armed men accused of enforcing the orders.
Following Ekpa’s arrest, reported incidents declined.
The newspaper identified 100 attacks, including abductions, between January 1 and November 21, 2024.
During the corresponding period in 2025, the number fell to 50.
Fatalities declined from 206 to 162, while reported abductions decreased from 66 to 59.
The figures were compiled from incidents reported in the news media and did not necessarily capture every attack.
They also showed that improvements were uneven.
In Imo State, for example, the number of people killed increased despite a reduction in recorded attacks.
The investigation established a decline in reported violence after Ekpa’s arrest but did not demonstrate that his detention was solely responsible.
Other developments, including security operations and changes within separatist organisations, occurred during the same period.
Sit-at-Home Orders Cancelled
The decline in violence was accompanied by renewed efforts to end compulsory Monday shutdowns.
In February 2026, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) announced that its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, had directed an end to the sit-at-home practice.
The organisation’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, said the cancellation would take effect immediately and urged residents to reopen businesses, resume schooling, and undertake ordinary activities.
The directive was announced after years of disruptions affecting markets, transport services, financial institutions, and government offices.
Ekpa had previously issued his own sit-at-home orders through a separatist faction that operated independently of Kanu’s leadership.
IPOB repeatedly distanced itself from Ekpa’s activities.
Following the February announcement, traders began returning to some major commercial centres, including Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State.
However, the reduction in attacks has not eliminated insecurity across the region.
Kidnappings, armed robberies, and attacks attributed to different criminal and separatist groups have continued to present challenges for security agencies.
