Sen. Gbenga Daniel Hails Ekpa’s Conviction by Finnish Court

By Samuel Solomon

The Lawmaker representing Ogun East in the Senate, Senator Gbenga Daniel, who also doubles as the President of the Nigerian-Finnish Association, has praised the conviction of Simon Ekpa by a Finnish court, describing the conviction as a “decisive victory for international justice.”

Daniel, in a statement released by his media aide, Steve Oliyide, on Tuesday, commended the Finnish government and the Päijät-Häme District Court for their “resolute and judicious” sentencing, following Ekpa’s six-year prison term for terrorism charges.

It is worthy to note that the court had recently found Ekpa guilty of participating in a terrorist organisation and inciting violence, acts which enforced deadly sit-at-home orders in South-Eastern Nigeria.

Daniel declared the verdict a “watershed moment”, stating that it sends a “powerful message that the tentacles of terrorism will be severed by the collective will of civilised nations.”

The former governor of Ogun State emphasised that “The ruling marks a significant leap in Nigeria-Finland relations, moving beyond diplomacy into tangible, impactful cooperation.”

The senator stated that the decision defends Nigeria’s sovereignty, sending an “unequivocal message” to those threatening its territorial integrity from abroad.

He reaffirmed that Nigeria’s unity is “non-negotiable,” praising the court for condemning the method of terrorism, not a cause.

Daniel extended his deepest gratitude to the Finnish authorities, noting that their commitment to due process provides “solace to the victims of violence in Nigeria” and strengthens international law.