The Federal Government, Monday, expressed satisfaction with the six-year jail term handed to Simon Ekpa by a Finnish district court for terrorism-related offences, and hinted that it may seek the convict’s repatriation to Nigeria after completing his time in prison.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
The Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland on Monday sentenced Ekpa, who holds dual citizenship of Finland and Nigeria, to six years in prison for terrorism-related crimes and other offences.
Ekpa, a 40-year-old former municipal politician from Lahti, was convicted on multiple charges that included: participation in the activities of a terrorist organisation, incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes, aggravated tax fraud, and violations of the Lawyers Act.
Reacting to the development, the Nigerian government applauded the decision, describing it as a major step in the global fight against extremism and a boost to international legal cooperation.
“This ruling stands as a watershed moment – not only for the countless innocent Nigerians whose lives and livelihoods have been brutally disrupted by the reign of terror incited and financed by Ekpa and his collaborators—but also for the strengthening of bilateral relations between Nigeria and Finland,” the Federal Government said in the statement signed by Idris.
The government commended the Finnish judiciary for what it described as a firm stand in upholding the rule of law, while reiterating its commitment to using diplomatic, legal, and security channels to maintain national peace and sovereignty.
“By upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is served,” idris continued in the statement, “the Finnish judiciary has not only vindicated Nigeria’s consistent position on this matter but also sent a clear signal to extremists everywhere that the world is watching, and justice will catch up with those who seek to destabilise societies through terror.”
The Minister reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and maintaining peace and unity through all available means—diplomatic, military, and judicial.
It urged Ekpa’s followers, as well as others involved in violent separatist agitation to lay down their arms, renounce armed struggle, and embrace peace.
Idris continued: “We urge all those who, under the misguidance of Simon Ekpa and others, have taken up arms against their fatherland to immediately lay them down and embrace the path of peace.
“Nigeria is big enough for all its people, but there can be no progress where violence and division prevail.”
The Minister expressed appreciation to Nigeria’s security and intelligence agencies, the Armed Forces, the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Office of the National Security Adviser, for their continued efforts in maintaining national security amid ongoing challenges.
In a similar development, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, welcomed the ruling, describing it as “a landmark victory in the global effort to combat terrorism and violent extremism.”
The CDS, through a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, declared: “The conviction reinforces the principle that those who incite violence and fund terrorism will be held accountable, regardless of their location.”
Gen. Musa also commended Nigeria’s law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and diplomats, saying their work demonstrated the power of international collaboration.
“The success reflects the power of international cooperation and collaboration in addressing transnational threats,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the Indigenous People of Biafr, IPOB, has distanced itself from the convicted Simon Ekpa, insisting he was never part of their organisation.
In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful, the group declared: “IPOB under oath in a Finnish court testified that Simon Ekpa has never held any position in IPOB or ESN.
“Ekpa himself under oath described himself merely as a “content creator,” admitted he disowned IPOB, and boasted that he would destroy IPOB.”
IPOB didn’t stop there, it also accused Ekpa of creating parallel groups unaffiliated with the main organisation.