The Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed that Biafran separatist leader, Simon Ekpa, is facing terrorism-related charges in Finland following his detention for almost six months.

Ekpa, who was initially arrested in November 2024 by Finnish security agencies over allegations of terrorism, was officially charged on Friday by Finnish prosecutors with "inciting terrorism and participating in the activities of a terrorist group."

According to Finland's National Prosecution Authority, the charges relate to "public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent and participation in the activities of a terrorist group." The alleged crimes were reportedly committed between 2021 and 2024 in the city of Lahti.

"The charges were filed on Friday morning as scheduled," the DSS stated, according to reports. "The case will be heard in Päijät-Häme District Court in Lahti. A hearing date has not yet been set."

The DSS further disclosed that Ekpa is accused of "spreading separatist propaganda from his home in Lahti" in connection with his activities aimed at establishing Nigeria's Biafra region as an independent state.

The charges come amid ongoing tensions surrounding the Biafran separatist movement in Nigeria, with various groups continuing to advocate for the secession of the southeastern region from Nigeria.

Ekpa has been a prominent figure in the separatist movement, particularly following the detention of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, who remains in custody in Nigeria.

The Finnish authorities' decision to prosecute Ekpa marks a significant development in international efforts to address activities related to the Biafran separatist movement that are deemed to constitute terrorism.