Nigeria, May 30 -- A Finnish court has begun the terrorism trial of Simon Ekpa, a controversial Biafra agitator.

The Finnish government, in mid-May, charged Mr Ekpa with public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent and participation in a terrorist group.

The Finnish-Nigerian citizen appeared before the Paijat-Hame District Court on Friday to face the terrorism-related charges in a preparatory hearing, Yle, a Finnish newspaper, reported.

Prosecutors alleged that Mr Ekpa has been actively involved in a separatist movement seeking independence of Biafra in South-eastern Nigeria.

The prosecution argued that the Biafra agitator's separatist activities, conducted online and coordinated from Finland, may constitute terrorism und...