Federal Government Hails Finland Over Ekpa’s Conviction

The Finnish judiciary has earned the praise of the Nigerian authorities over the conviction and sentencing of Simon Ekpa, a self-styled pro-Biafra agitator, to six years’ imprisonment by the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland for terrorism-related offences

In their reactions yesterday, the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, commended the judgment.

On behalf of the government, the minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the ruling as a “watershed moment” for Nigeria and a strong affirmation of international solidarity against terrorism.

Idris, in a press statement made available to journalists yesterday, said, “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.”

Ekpa, who has long operated from Finland, was found guilty of inciting violence and coordinating terrorist activities through the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which the government says led to numerous deaths, injuries and the destabilisation of several communities in Nigeria’s Southeast.

“For years, Ekpa’s reckless incitement and orchestration of violence unleashed unspeakable pain: families shattered, businesses destroyed, children orphaned and entire communities forced to live in fear,” he noted.

The government praised the Finnish authorities for upholding the rule of law and responding to Nigeria’s consistent diplomatic engagements over the matter.

The conviction, according to the statement, sends a clear message to extremists globally that terrorism and insurrection will not go unpunished.

“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 statement added.

Reaffirming President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to national unity and territorial integrity, the government reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on violent agitation and terrorism.

“We will continue to mobilise every resource – diplomatic, military, and judicial – to preserve the peace, unity, and territorial integrity of our country,” Idris said.

Also, General Musa, in a statement by the director of Defence Information, Brig-Gen Tukur Gusau, described the ruling as a landmark victory in the global effort to combat terrorism and violent extremism.

The defence chief said the conviction reinforces the principle that those who incite violence and fund terrorism will be held accountable, regardless of their location.

He said, “This judgment sends a strong message that there is no haven for individuals or groups who sponsor or encourage acts of terror against Nigeria or any other sovereign state.”

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria commend the Finnish authorities for their diligence in ensuring justice is served,”

Musa also commended Nigerian security, intelligence, law enforcement agencies and diplomats for their unwavering collaboration and painstaking efforts in providing actionable evidence that led to Ekpa’s conviction.

He noted that the success reflects the power of international cooperation and collaboration in addressing transnational threats.