The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen.

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.

Recall that the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland 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.

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.

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.

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.”

Read Also: Simon Ekpa Sentenced to Six Years in Jail

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.

Source: Punch