The appeal hearing of Simon Ekpa has taken a new turn as Finnish state prosecutors are no longer satisfied with the six-year prison term handed down last year.
Instead, they are now pushing for a significantly longer sentence, arguing that the original punishment does not reflect the full gravity of his alleged crimes.
During the ongoing proceedings at the Court of Appeal, which commenced in August 2026, the prosecution team led by State Prosecutor Sampsa Hakala has made it clear that the district court’s ruling was too lenient. They contend that Ekpa’s activities—spanning over three years—caused extensive harm not only in Nigeria but also undermined Finland’s counter-terrorism efforts.
The prosecutor’s argument rests on the assertion that Ekpa used his social media platforms as a command center to direct separatist violence from the safety of Finland. According to the prosecution, this long-distance coordination, which allegedly included facilitating the supply of weapons, warrants a punishment beyond the statutory minimum they originally sought.
While the defense maintains that Ekpa is a political activist exercising free speech, the prosecutor has countered that the evidence—including digital records and communications with armed groups—proves otherwise. The prosecution has described Ekpa’s influence as a direct threat to national security in Nigeria and a destabilizing force in West Africa.
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