- Safiu Kehinde
The Federal Government has commended the Paijat-Hame District Court in Finland over the conviction and six-years sentencing of self-acclaimed Biafran Prime Minister, Simon Ekpa, for terrorism offences.
NPO earlier Reported that the court had on Monday found Ekpa guilty of inciting a public crime committed with terrorist intent, participating in the activities of a terrorist group, aggravated tax fraud, and violating the Attorneys Act.
According to the court, Ekpa sought to promote the independence of the Biafra region in southeastern Nigeria by illegal means between August 2021 and November 2024.
The court said he used social media to build a politically influential position while supporting groups designated as terrorist organisations.
It held that the movement under Ekpa established armed groups, supplied with weapons, explosives, and ammunition through his network of contacts.
“Ekpa urged and enticed his followers on his X account to commit crimes in Nigeria,” the court said.
Reacting to the court’s ruling in a statement issued by the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, the FG described the development as a watershed moment for victims of Ekpa’s reign of terror in Nigeria.
It also maintained that the development has strengthened the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Finland while recounting the series of terror activities carried out by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who were funded by Ekpa.
“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.
“For years, Ekpa’s reckless incitement and orchestration of violence through IPOB terror activities unleashed unspeakable pain: families shattered, businesses destroyed, children orphaned, and entire communities forced to live under fear.
“Hundreds of lives were lost, and many more maimed, in pursuit of a destructive and unlawful agenda that sought to undermine the peace, unity, and sovereignty of our nation.” The statement partly read.
The Federal government further maintained that Finland had not only vindicated Nigeria’s consistent position on Ekpa’s 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 destabilize societies through terror.
It reaffirmed the President Bola Tinubu-led adminitsration’s commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty while urging other armed Biafran militants sponsored by Ekpa to surrender.
“The Tinubu administration remains unshakable in its resolve to defend Nigeria’s sovereignty and protect the dignity of every citizen.
“We will continue to mobilize every resource, diplomatic, military, and judicial, to preserve the peace, unity, and territorial integrity of our country.
“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 statement read further.
The Federal Government further commended the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the security and intelligence agencies, and the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Nigeria Police, whose sacrifices, courage, and commitment continue to secure our homeland in the face of daunting challenges.