Senator Gbenga Daniel on Simon Ekpa verdict: praises Finland’s conviction as a global step against terrorism and a win for Nigerian sovereignty

Senator Gbenga Daniel on Simon Ekpa verdict has commended Finland’s judiciary for what he calls a *“watershed moment” in the global fight against terrorism.

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The outspoken Nigerian Senator and President of the Nigerian Finnish Association described the conviction of Biafra agitator Simon Ekpa as a milestone in transnational justice.

Ekpa, a controversial separatist figure, was sentenced to six years in prison on Monday by the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland, which found him guilty of participating in a terrorist organization and inciting crimes through his campaigns of fear and violence in South-Eastern Nigeria.

In a statement released Tuesday, Senator Daniel, who represents Ogun East in Nigeria’s National Assembly, praised Finland’s legal process and called the ruling a clear rejection of terror masked as activism.

He emphasized that Ekpa’s actions, including calls for violent sit-at-home orders, resulted in deaths, property loss, and economic collapse in affected regions.

“This isn’t just a Finnish legal matter—it’s a bold message that terrorism has no borders,” Daniel said. “The world is watching, and Finland just showed what collective resolve against extremism looks like.”

As head of the Nigerian-Finnish Association, Daniel noted that the verdict elevates Nigeria-Finland relations from “mere diplomatic pleasantries” to active collaboration in areas of security, law, and international justice.

He stressed that Nigeria’s unity remains a non-negotiable reality, and that those who attempt to destabilize the country from abroad must face global consequences.

“This ruling separates free speech from the weaponization of speech. It doesn’t condemn a cause—it condemns the method: terrorism,” Daniel stated.

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Concluding his statement, the Senator expressed gratitude to the Finnish judiciary for upholding due process and offering “a measure of solace” to Nigerian victims affected by separatist violence.