Simon Ekpa’s Conviction by Finnish Court, Boost for Nigeria’s Unity, Says Gbenga Daniel Applauds

Former Ogun State Governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has commended the conviction of Simon Ekpa by a Finnish court, describing it as a major step towards safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and restoring peace in the Southeast region. Ekpa, a Finland-based lawyer and factional leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was last week sentenced to six years in prison by the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland. He was found guilty of participating in a terrorist organisation, inciting terrorism through his broadcasts, and aggravated tax fraud. The court held that his activities were linked to violence, killings, and economic disruptions in parts of southeastern Nigeria. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Senator Daniel hailed the verdict as “a watershed moment in the global war against terrorism,” stressing that the ruling sends a clear message that no individual can hide under foreign protection to destabilise a sovereign nation. “The conviction of Simon Ekpa is not only a triumph of justice but also a reinforcement of Nigeria’s territorial integrity. It demonstrates that international law will not provide a safe haven for those who incite violence from abroad. This judgment is a victory for peace, unity, and justice,” Daniel said. The former governor also commended the Finnish government for cooperating with Nigerian authorities to ensure that the case was fairly prosecuted. He noted that the ruling marked a new chapter in bilateral relations between the two countries, extending beyond diplomacy into practical collaboration against cross-border threats. Ekpa, who rose to prominence after taking over a faction of IPOB following the detention of its founder, Nnamdi Kanu, has been accused by Nigerian authorities of masterminding violent sit-at-home orders that crippled businesses and claimed lives in the Southeast. The group, which has long agitated for secession, was designated a terrorist organisation by the Nigerian Government in 2017. Reactions to the conviction have been mixed. While pro-Biafra groups have criticised the judgment as politically motivated, the Federal Government and several political leaders have welcomed it as a long-awaited step toward justice. The Nigerian government has also hinted at possible moves to seek Ekpa’s repatriation to face additional charges after completing his sentence in Finland. Senator Daniel urged Nigerians to view the development as proof that international cooperation can deliver justice, no matter the distance. He called for renewed efforts to foster unity, reconciliation, and economic stability across the country, particularly in the Southeast, which has borne the brunt of separatist-linked violence.