The conviction of self-proclaimed Biafra Prime Minister Simon Ekpa by a Finnish court within a year has revealed the Nigerian criminal justice system, according to activist attorney Maduabuchi Idam.
According to Idam, Nigeria’s criminal justice system has been subjected to disdain, ridicule, and disgrace in front of the international community by the Finnish Court.
The lawyer said in a brief statement he signed that the Nigerian government should think about freeing Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, or IPOB, rather than letting the court ruling affect them.
“I’m more interested in getting a verdict in Simon Ekpa’s case in less than a year than I am in the conviction itself,” he stated.
“The Finnish court’s hasty resolution of Ekpa’s case has exposed Nigeria’s criminal justice system to disdain, derision, and disgrace in the eyes of the world community.
Instead of celebrating the news, the government ought to take advantage of the opportunity to consider how its criminal justice system operates and what steps it can take to make it better.
Crucially, the Federal Government should not be swayed by the conviction and instead view Mr. Kanu’s release as the most peaceful solution for the Southeast, particularly at this time.
A Finnish district court in Päijät-Häme sentenced Ekpa to six years in prison on Monday for his involvement in terrorism.
Following an investigation by its National Bureau of Investigation into claims of inciting terrorism and promoting violence through social media—activities that were thought to have contributed to unrest in southeast Nigeria—Finland’s authorities arrested Ekpa on November 21, 2024.
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