By Francis Ajuonuma
Nigerians across political, civic, and social circles have expressed mixed reactions over the six-year prison sentence handed down to Simon Ekpa by a Finnish court, describing the ruling as overdue justice against a man they accuse of fuelling violence in the South-East.
On Monday, the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland convicted the Finland-based separatist agitator of inciting terrorism, participating in the activities of a terrorist group, and aggravated tax fraud.
The three-member panel of judges found that between August 2021 and November 2024, Ekpa used his large social media following to encourage violence in Nigeria, supply weapons through a network of contacts, and urge followers on X to commit crimes.
Ekpa, a long-time resident of Lahti and former local councillor who moved to Finland in 2007 as an athlete, denied the charges. However, the court ruled that his actions from Finnish territory gave it jurisdiction over the offences.
In Abuja, the Federal Government hailed the conviction as a “major victory for Nigerians.” Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the sentence validated Nigeria’s position that Ekpa’s broadcasts and directives were directly linked to unrest in the South-East.
“Finland has shown courage by holding Simon Ekpa accountable. His reckless utterances worsened insecurity at home, and this ruling is justice for victims of violence,” Idris declared.
The judgment sparked immediate reactions from prominent Nigerians.
Former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, mocked the agitator with biting sarcasm: “Ekpa will now feed better in prison.”
Presidential media aide Dada Olusegun was blunt in his response, posting on X: “Thank you so much @thisisFINLAND.”
Civil society groups also endorsed the ruling.
Lagos-based rights advocate Chidi Odinkalu described it as “a powerful signal that foreign bases cannot be used as safe havens to destabilise Nigeria.”
However, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) sought to distance itself from Ekpa, saying the group had never sanctioned his violent methods and extremist rhetoric.
Others argued that while the conviction was welcome, the Nigerian government must complement it by addressing the grievances that give rise to separatist agitation.
Analysts say the verdict is a diplomatic win for Abuja, which had long pressured Finland to curb Ekpa’s activities.
They noted that the conviction could reduce the influence of separatist broadcasts and ease tensions in the South-East.
Ekpa’s legal team has signalled plans to appeal the ruling, but for many Nigerians, the judgment represents a symbolic blow against extremism and a long-awaited measure of accountability.
