The Nigerian government has applauded the conviction of Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed Biafra agitator, who was sentenced to six years in prison by a Finnish court for terrorism-related crimes.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the ruling as “a major victory for the Nigerian people in the collective fight against terror.” The judgement was delivered by the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland, which found Ekpa guilty of inciting terrorism, supporting a terrorist organisation, and using his social media platforms to fuel violence in Nigeria’s South-east between 2021 and 2024.
According to the court, Ekpa went beyond online propaganda by facilitating the supply of weapons and explosives to armed groups in Nigeria. Evidence also included tax fraud and breaches of Finnish law.
Reactions in Nigeria have been swift. The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, hailed the verdict as a strong global message that no safe haven exists for sponsors of terrorism. The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, described it as “good news,” praising Finnish authorities for their collaboration with Nigerian security agencies.
Civil society groups, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), urged Nigerian authorities to learn from Finland’s swift justice process. They highlighted how Ekpa’s conviction abroad reflects gaps in Nigeria’s own handling of terrorism cases.
Ekpa, who once held political roles in Finland, rose to prominence in 2021 after Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest. From abroad, he issued “sit-at-home” orders and called for attacks against Nigerian security forces — actions IPOB leadership disowned.
The NBA and RULAAC stressed that the conviction should serve as a wake-up call for Nigeria to strengthen its legal processes, adopt technology for faster trials, and hold perpetrators of violence accountable within its own borders.
The case represents one of Finland’s most high-profile rulings linking local residents to foreign terrorism — and for Nigeria, a reminder that justice cannot always be outsourced.