KEY POINTS
- Nigeria considers Simon Ekpa repatriation after Finland ruling.
- Court found him guilty of terrorism-related crimes.
- FG calls verdict a global win against extremism.
The Federal Government is debating whether to pursue the repatriation of Simon Ekpa to Nigeria after the Finnish courts sentenced him to six years in prison for terrorism-related charges.
Ekpa, a Nigerian-born Finnish politician and separatist agitator, was found guilty by the Päijät-Häme District Court on accusations ranging from participation in terrorist activities to incitement, fraud, and violations of professional behavior legislation.
Nigeria considers Simon Ekpa repatriation
Officials including Information Minister Mohammed Idris and Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi said the government will analyze the verdict before deciding on official procedures to bring Ekpa back. Both commended Finland’s cooperation, calling the ruling a watershed in worldwide efforts to combat extremism.
Finnish court rules on terrorist case
Judges concluded that between 2021 and 2024, Ekpa exploited his social media platform to fuel separatist unrest in Nigeria’s southeast, pushing armed organizations he helped create to perform deadly crimes. Evidence revealed showed he provided cells with firearms and ammo while acting as a political activist. Ekpa denied wrongdoing but was sentenced to remain in detention.
Simon Ekpa repatriation debate increases
Reactions flowed in throughout Nigeria. The administration praised the ruling as a “watershed moment,” claiming it verified long-standing charges about Ekpa’s role in stoking unrest. The military leadership shared the remark, underlining that individuals who instigate or finance terrorism overseas would face justice.
But separatist group IPOB distanced itself, saying under oath that Ekpa was never part of its leadership. IPOB accused him of forming breakaway organizations and opposed attempts to link the conviction to its actions. Leaders of young people in the South-East called for peace and discussion. IPOB’s lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor said the decision was a warning against fraud, dishonesty, and violent exploitation of weak followers.
For Nigeria, the conviction could be a turning moment in finding the right balance between security crackdowns and working with other countries. It would be interesting to see how far the administration will go to get Ekpa back.
