The Nigerian government has welcomed the six-year terrorism sentence handed to separatist agitator Simon Ekpa by a Finnish court and is considering seeking his repatriation, while IPOB has forcefully distanced itself from his actions.
The Federal Government has indicated it may seek the repatriation of Simon Ekpa following his six-year imprisonment for terrorism-related offences in Finland. The Päijät-Häme District Court convicted the Nigerian-born Finnish citizen on charges including leading a terrorist organisation, incitement to terrorism, and tax fraud.
The court found that Ekpa used social media to gain influence and was instrumental in founding and equipping armed groups, urging followers on X to commit crimes in Nigeria to promote Biafran independence. He denied all charges.
Minister of Information Mohammed Idris stated, “The Nigerian government will assess the situation and take decisions in the best interest of the country.” The government hailed the verdict as a “watershed moment” that strengthens Nigeria-Finland relations.
In response, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) completely distanced itself from Ekpa, stating he was never a member. IPOB’s media director, Emma Powerful, declared, “The Finnish court exonerated IPOB of any link to Simon Ekpa.”
The Coalition of South-East Youth Leaders called for peace, urging agitating parties to embrace dialogue. IPOB’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, described the conviction as a stern warning that “no legitimate struggle can be built on lies, fraud, and violence.”