The Federal Government has indicated that it may pursue the repatriation of Simon Ekpa, the Nigerian-born Finnish separatist, once he completes a six-year prison sentence handed down by a Finnish court for terrorism-related offences.
On Monday, the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland sentenced the 40-year-old to six years in prison after finding him guilty on multiple counts, including membership in a terrorist organisation, incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes, aggravated tax fraud, and breaches of the Lawyers Act. The court also ordered that Ekpa remain in custody throughout his sentence.
According to court documents, Ekpa’s activities between August 2021 and November 2024 were aimed at advancing the independence of the so-called Biafra region in southeastern Nigeria through illegal and violent means. Reports from the trial revealed that he leveraged social media to gain a powerful political foothold within a splintered separatist movement, exploiting its divisions to consolidate influence.
The court further held that armed groups, classified as terrorist organisations, were established under his leadership. Judges found that Ekpa not only facilitated access to weapons, ammunition, and explosives but also used online platforms—particularly X (formerly Twitter)—to urge and incite his followers to commit violent crimes in Nigeria.
Ekpa, a former municipal politician from Lahti, Finland, denied all the charges against him. Nonetheless, after 12 hearing sessions held between May 30 and June 25, 2025, a three-judge panel unanimously delivered the guilty verdict.
Responding to the development, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the government is closely monitoring the case. Asked whether Abuja would seek Ekpa’s repatriation at the end of his jail term, Idris said, “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), welcomed the ruling, commending Finland’s cooperation in the global fight against insecurity. He assured that Nigeria would study the judgment before initiating further steps.
“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,” Fagbemi stated.
The conviction marks a significant development in Nigeria’s long-running battle against violent separatist activities, raising questions about what future legal and diplomatic steps the government may take once Ekpa completes his sentence abroad.
