₦airaland Forum

Senator Gbenga Daniel, the President of the Nigerian-Finnish Association, has hailed the recent terrorism conviction of Biafra agitator Simon Ekpa by a Finnish court as a “watershed moment” that strengthens global cooperation against transnational terrorism.

In a powerful statement released on Tuesday, the former Governor of Ogun State and current Senator representing Ogun East commended the Finnish government and the Päijät-Häme District Court for their “resolute and judicious” sentencing of Ekpa, who was handed a six-year prison term on Monday.

The court found Ekpa guilty of participating in a terrorist organisation and publicly inciting crimes for terrorist purposes, charges stemming from his activities, which included inciting violence and enforcing sit-at-home orders in South-Eastern Nigeria through fear and intimidation.


Speaking in his capacity as head of the bilateral association, Senator Daniel stated that the verdict transcends a mere Finnish legal proceeding, calling it “a powerful message to the world that no nation is an island, and the tentacles of terrorism, wherever they are planned and executed from, will be severed by the collective will of civilised nations.”

He emphasized that Ekpa’s actions were not legitimate political advocacy but acts of terrorism that have “led to the loss of countless Nigerian lives and the destruction of property,” crippling economic activity and terrorizing peaceful citizens.


The Senator framed the ruling as a significant leap forward in Nigeria-Finland relations, moving beyond “diplomatic pleasantries” into the realm of “tangible, impactful cooperation.”

“This act of solidarity will undoubtedly be remembered as a cornerstone of our mutual trust and a catalyst for even greater collaboration in justice, security, and economic sectors,” Daniel said.


Crucially, the statement addressed Nigeria’s domestic sovereignty, noting that the Finnish decision sends an “unequivocal message to all who would threaten the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria from abroad.” Daniel reaffirmed that the unity of Nigeria is “non-negotiable” and a “settled matter.”


He drew a clear distinction between the right to free speech and the criminal act of incitement to violence, praising the Finnish judiciary for not condemning a cause, but “a method: the method of terrorism, which is an affront to humanity itself.”

Concluding on behalf of the Nigerian-Finnish Association and as a serving Senator, Daniel extended “deepest gratitude that their commitment to due process has provided “a measure of solace to the victims of violence in Nigeria and has strengthened the fabric of international law.”

Oblongata:
Abeg shey dem fit export watery beans? Someone needs to be eating it along with his oga in Nigeria. They should allow them do video call of eating watery beans together 🤷🏽‍♂️

jaxxy:
When igboho was arrested in Benin Republic did gbenga Daniel hail it?

MadPolitician:
Unraveling the South East has become the only target of the South West in power

89green:
See who dey talk, you lots should be in jail alongside Ekpa if this Country wasn't made lawless by your likes

jaxxy:
When igboho was arrested in Benin Republic did gbenga Daniel hail it?

I'm not saying Simon Ekpa's conviction is not a good development for justice which is seriously lacking in Nigeria and more importantly peace in the south east.

But I'm worried and concerned that these haller are biased or motivated by tribal bigotry than justice.

tfelicityk:
The guy really used that his movements to manipulate some people especially the youths and some vulnerable in the southeast region and it crippled businesses, destruction of properties and lives taken indiscriminately. The menace is still going on in some parts of the southeast till this moment. 😭 😭 😭 😭 😭 😭 😭

If the Elites in the southeast are united. They would have curtain the madness from the movement.

MadPolitician:
The corruption involved in the way the Finish authorities ran through this strange rulling after their government officials visited Nigeria few years ago, will one day be revealed. It has always been about using nigerias hydrocarbons as a bargaining chip to get international support for the oppression of the eastern part of Nigeria. The same way the sponsorship of Nigerias war against Biafra by the UK and SHELL has been exposed. Bakassi too..

Obviously there is a good chance that some oil wells and gas fields were tossed around to curry favours. But the truth will come out someday. For the Finish court to declare the agitations of a people for freedom as a terrorist activity, isn't just mind-boggling but also highlights in clear terms the international conspiracies that have been used to hold Biafra down for ages..

But as Biafra lays on the ground, so is Nigeria in a pepertual comatose state..

aribisala0:
When. Ekpa was arrested did he hail it?

I believe there is a difference between arrest and conviction

DmonSlayer10:
Always learn to concentrate on the message...the message...and leave the messenger.

The message is that justice has been served,expeditiously,fairly and clinically.

Nigeria and other "banana republics" should learn from this.

Innocent victims of Simon Ekpa's activities can get some kind of closure.

Other secret or open Biafran or Yoruba Nation or Niger-deltan or Islamic Nation agitators should learn from this; Channel your agitations through the Legal routes or die in jail.Simple.

IAM4BAT4plus4:
This is not fair enough!



Those guys are actually fighting for the well being of their generation and the unborn...



By the way, you don't have a say as per which food they must eat

casualobserver:
I though you people would be taking the matter to UK and Eu parliament or US congress?

Nonsense people!

MadPolitician:
The corruption involved in the way the Finish authorities ran through this strange rulling after their government officials visited Nigeria few years ago, will one day be revealed. It has always been about using nigerias hydrocarbons as a bargaining chip to get international support for the oppression of the eastern part of Nigeria. The same way the sponsorship of Nigerias war against Biafra by the UK and SHELL has been exposed. Bakassi too..

Obviously there is a good chance that some oil wells and gas fields were tossed around to curry favours. But the truth will come out someday. For the Finish court to declare the agitations of a people for freedom as a terrorist activity, isn't just mind-boggling but also highlights in clear terms the international conspiracies that have been used to hold Biafra down for ages..

But as Biafra lays on the ground, so is Nigeria in a pepertual comatose state..

Burruchaga71:
He's talking as if Ekpa is dead. Ekpa will be release in 2029 and the struggle will continue.
God bless Ekpa and all the freedom fighters all over the world.