The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa has welcomed the conviction of Simon Ekpa, a pro-Biafra agitator, by a Finnish court.
Ekpa was sentenced to six years imprisonment for terrorism offenses, specifically for participating in activities aimed at re-establishing an independent state in Nigeria’s Biafra region.
The Päijät-Häme District Court in Lahti, Finland found Ekpa guilty of multiple offenses, including participation in terrorist activities, incitement to commit terrorist crimes, aggravated tax fraud, and violations of the Lawyers Act.
The prosecutor charges were relate to his activities aimed at re-establishing an independent state in Nigeria’s Biafra region. It was briefly independent in the late 1960s.
Shortly after the ruling, the CDS described the judgement as a landmark victory in the global campaign against terrorism and violent extremism.
General Musa described the judgment as a landmark victory in the global campaign against terrorism and violent extremism, affirming that sponsors of terrorism will be held accountable regardless of location.
Musa commended Nigerian security agencies, intelligence operatives, law enforcement bodies, and diplomats for their coordinated evidence-sharing, which led to Ekpa’s conviction.
This is contained in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau.
According to the statement, Musa said the judgment affirmed that no individual or group sponsoring terrorism against Nigeria would find a haven.
“The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has expressed firm support for the judgment delivered today by the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland, sentencing Simon Ekpa to six years in prison for terrorism-related offences.
General Musa described the ruling as a landmark victory in the global effort to combat terrorism and violent extremism, noting that the conviction reinforces the principle that those who incite violence and fund terrorism will be held accountable, regardless of their location.
He further commended Nigerian security, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies, alongside the country’s diplomats, for providing actionable evidence that aided the conviction.
He also emphasised the importance of international cooperation in tackling transnational threats.
“The CDS also extended deep appreciation to Nigerian security, intelligence, law enforcement agencies and diplomats for their unwavering collaboration and painstaking efforts in providing actionable evidence that led to Ekpa’s conviction,” he said.
The CDS reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ readiness to work with global partners to dismantle terrorist networks and urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and support ongoing security operations.
Also, the Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, hailed the conviction, saying it confirmed Ekpa’s involvement in heinous crimes against Nigerians, particularly in the South-East.
