The Federal Government has hinted that it may seek the repatriation of Simon Ekpa to Nigeria following his six-year jail sentence in Finland for terrorism-related offences.

The Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland on Monday sentenced the Nigerian-born Finnish to six years in prison for terrorism-related crimes and other offences.

The 40-year-old former municipal politician from Lahti was convicted on multiple charges, including participation in the activities of a terrorist organisation, incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes, aggravated tax fraud, and violations of the Lawyers Act.

The court ordered that Ekpa remain in custody.

According to the judgment, between August 2021 and November 2024, Ekpa attempted to promote the independence of the so-called Biafra region in southeastern Nigeria through illegal means.

“He used social media to gain a politically influential position and took advantage of the confusion within a key separatist movement in Nigeria to play a significant role in it,” the court statement stated as reported by BBC News pidgin.

Ekpa denied all the charges against him.

The court also found that Ekpa was instrumental in founding and developing the separatist movement into a more organised structure, working alongside others.

It was revealed during the trial that armed groups were established under the movement, which the court classified as terrorist organisations.

“Ekpa equipped the groups with weapons, explosives and ammunition through his contact network. He also urged and enticed his followers on X (formerly Twitter) to commit crimes in Nigeria,” the court said.

The trial was conducted over 12 sessions between May 30 and June 25, 2025, with a panel of three judges unanimously delivering the verdict.

While speaking with The PUNCH on Monday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, hinted about the possibility of the Federal Government seeking the repatriation of Ekpa.

When asked whether the government intended to request Ekpa’s repatriation at the end of his jail term, Idris replied, “The Nigerian government will assess the situation and take decisions in the best interest of the country.”

Similarly, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), in a statement, noted that further steps would be taken once the judgment has been officially reviewed.

“We commend the Finnish authorities for supporting Nigeria in the fight against insecurity and see this as a signal of future collaboration.

“Appropriate further actions will be taken upon receipt and study of a copy of the court’s judgment,” the statement read.

FG, CDS

Reacting to the verdict, the FG welcomed the decision, describing it as a major step in the global fight against extremism and a boost to international legal cooperation.

In a statement signed by Idris, the government said, “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.”

The government commended the Finnish judiciary for what it described as a firm stand in upholding the rule of law, while reiterating its commitment to using diplomatic, legal, and security channels to maintain national peace and sovereignty.

Idris noted, “By upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is served, the Finnish judiciary has not only vindicated Nigeria’s consistent position on this 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 destabilise societies through terror.”

The statement also reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and maintaining peace and unity through all available means—diplomatic, military, and judicial.

Calling on followers of Ekpa and others involved in separatist violence to renounce armed struggle, the government urged them to lay down their arms and embrace peace.

“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 minister also expressed appreciation to Nigeria’s security and intelligence agencies, the Armed Forces, the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Office of the National Security Adviser for their continued efforts in maintaining national security amid ongoing challenges.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, also welcomed the ruling, describing it as “a landmark victory in the global effort to combat terrorism and violent extremism.”

In a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, the CDS stated, “The conviction reinforces the principle that those who incite violence and fund terrorism will be held accountable, regardless of their location.”

Musa also commended Nigeria’s law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and diplomats, saying their work demonstrated the power of international collaboration.

“The success reflects the power of international cooperation and collaboration in addressing transnational threats,” the statement read.

IPOB reacts

Amid the conviction, the Indigenous People of Biafra distanced itself from Ekpa, insisting he was never part of their organisation.

In a statement signed by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Director, Emma Powerful, the group declared, “IPOB under oath in a Finnish court testified that Simon Ekpa has never held any position in IPOB or ESN.

“Ekpa himself under oath described himself merely as a “content creator,” admitted he disowned IPOB, and boasted that he would destroy IPOB.”

The statement further accused Ekpa of creating parallel groups unaffiliated with the main organisation.

“Ekpa created his own parallel contraptions: “Biafra Government in Exile,” “Biafra Liberation Army,” and “Biafra Defence Force” — entities repudiated and condemned by IPOB,” it stated.

Rejecting any connection to the convicted separatist, Powerful said, “The Indigenous People of Biafra, under the command of our unlawfully detained Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, issues this urgent rebuttal to the false and malicious attempt by the Nigerian government and its compromised media collaborators to link the conviction of one Simon Ekpa in Finland to IPOB’s lawful activities.

“This is a brazen fraud against truth and justice. The world must know that the question of Simon Ekpa’s non-membership in IPOB is already judicially settled in Finland,” the statement read.

Powerful also cautioned against using the conviction to undermine IPOB or influence legal proceedings involving Kanu.

He called on the international community to intervene.

The media director said, “We call upon global actors of conscience such as European Union and Finland. You bear direct responsibility for ensuring your judicial findings are not misrepresented abroad.

The Finnish court exonerated IPOB of any link to Simon Ekpa. We demand clarity be issued to Nigeria to stop this malicious misuse.

IPOB is a peaceful movement registered under international law, committed to lawful self-determination.”

Furthermore, an apex social-political youth organisation in Igbo land, the Coalition of South-East Youth Leaders, said the sentencing of Ekpa, should engender peace and justice for residents of the region rather than heighten politically-motivated prosecutions and persecutions.

The President-General of the youth group, Goodluck Ibem, told The PUNCH, “The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders acknowledges the judgment delivered by the Finnish court sentencing Simon Ekpa to six years in prison for terrorism-related activities.

“As a group committed to peace, justice, and the protection of the lives and dignity of our people, we are closely watching this development and its implications for the South-East region of Nigeria.

“We call on all agitating parties, both at home and abroad, to embrace dialogue, constructive engagement, and non-violence. The South East is in desperate need of peace, development, and unity—not bloodshed and fear.

“We also call on youths to reject any form of violence and work towards rebuilding the social and economic fabric of Ala Igbo.”

IPOB’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, described Simon Ekpa’s conviction as a stern warning against fraud, violence, and false claims of self-determination.

Speaking on Monday, Ejiofor said the conviction highlighted that no lies, propaganda, or fraudulent appeals could shield a criminal enterprise built on deception and bloodshed.

“The conviction of Simon Ekpa by a Finnish District Court does not surprise me. His offences, the weakness of his defense, and the inevitable collapse of his fraudulent empire were evident from the start,” he said.

Ejiofor added that Ekpa, in his bid to usurp the authority of IPOB’s Directorate of State, had been supported by individuals and groups intent on derailing the genuine struggle for self-determination and turning Ala-Igbo into a theatre of violence and exploitation.

For a time, his reckless declarations misled vulnerable followers. His so-called ‘foot soldiers’ falsely claimed IPOB membership, tarnishing the image of a peaceful global movement and giving the Nigerian state excuses to target innocent agitators,” he said.

According to Ejiofor, Ekpa built his criminal operation by defrauding followers with false promises of warships, fighter jets, and imminent Biafra independence. IPOB leadership repeatedly condemned his actions, distancing the peaceful movement from his violence, yet he continued to receive covert support from certain individuals—some of whom now call for his punishment.

“Ekpa’s conviction, in a jurisdiction that respects human rights and the rule of law, teaches that no amount of deception can protect a criminal enterprise. His trial was about fraud and funding violence, not self-determination,” Ejiofor said.

He urged the public to reject criminality and emotional manipulation, warning that those still glorifying Ekpa are not freedom fighters but exploiters of their people. (The PUNCH)