The Federal Government of Nigeria has lauded the recent judgment by Finland's Päijät-Häme District Court, which handed down a six-year prison sentence to Simon Ekpa, a self-styled pro-Biafra agitator, for a range of terrorism offences. This landmark ruling, delivered on a Monday, has been hailed by Nigeria as a critical moment for justice, not only for the countless Nigerians affected by his reign of terror but also for strengthening the diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Finland.

Ekpa, who also refers to himself as the self-declared Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, was found guilty of orchestrating and financing violence. According to Finnish law enforcement, Ekpa extensively utilized social media platforms to incite violence within Nigeria's South-East region, targeting both civilians and government authorities. His activities, carried out through what the Nigerian government termed "IPOB terror activities," led to immense suffering, including shattered families, destroyed businesses, orphaned children, and communities living under constant fear. Hundreds of lives were tragically lost, and many more were maimed, all in pursuit of a destructive and unlawful agenda aimed at undermining Nigeria's peace, unity, and sovereignty.

In a statement, Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, emphasized that the Finnish judiciary's decision to uphold the rule of law and ensure justice serves as a clear vindication of Nigeria's long-standing position on the matter. He added that the judgment sends an unequivocal message to extremists globally: "the world is watching, and justice will catch up with those who seek to destabilise societies through terror."

President Bola Tinubu's administration has reiterated its unwavering commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and protecting the dignity of its citizens. The government pledged to continue mobilizing all available resources—diplomatic, military, and judicial—to safeguard the nation’s peace, unity, and territorial integrity. Furthermore, an appeal was made to those who have taken up arms under the influence of Simon Ekpa and others to abandon violence and embrace peace, underscoring that Nigeria is vast enough for all its people, but progress cannot be achieved amidst division and conflict.

Reacting to the news, Dada Olusegun, the Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, expressed gratitude to Finland via his X account, signifying the appreciation from the Nigerian presidency for the judicial outcome. This sentencing followed earlier action by the Finland Court, which had previously ordered Ekpa to be held in custody on charges of public incitement.

This development comes after the Nigerian Federal Government’s proactive measures, including placing Ekpa and several associated individuals and entities on the Nigeria Sanctions List in March 2025. This designation, based on recommendations from the Nigeria Sanctions Committee and authorized by the Attorney-General of the Federation with President Tinubu's approval, empowered the government to impose sanctions on those linked to terror-related activities, in accordance with Section 54 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) had earlier disclosed the process leading to these designations. The Nigerian Federal Government also extended its appreciation to various national security and justice agencies for their dedicated efforts in ensuring the country's security.