NBA seeks daily hearings for terrorism cases after Simon Ekpa’s conviction

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) says the judiciary and prosecuting agencies should draw lessons from the trial of Simon Ekpa, self-proclaimed prime minister of Biafra, who was convicted of terrorism offences in Finland.

Afam Osigwe, president of the NBA, said the speed with which the Finnish court heard and decided Ekpa’s case should compel Nigeria’s justice system to reflect on its own handling of terrorism-related matters that often drag on for years.

Ekpa was found guilty of terrorism-related charges and sentenced to six years in prison by the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland on Monday.

The court ruled that Ekpa was guilty of promoting terrorist acts and being involved with a terrorist organisation.

The court said Ekpa exploited his large social media audience to fuel unrest in Nigeria’s south-east between August 2021 and November 2024.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja after presenting the communiqué of the association’s annual general conference, Osigwe said the Nigerian judiciary must take note of how swiftly the Finnish authorities built their case and concluded trial.

“I wish our Nigerian judiciary is watching and taking note; also, our investigating and prosecutorial agencies,” he said.

“Investigating a case properly, getting enough evidence and building a good case before it gets to court so that the trial will go on seamlessly.

“Such that whether you are acquitted or convicted, the facts will be clear. I would rather focus on that aspect as a takeaway for the Nigerian judiciary.

“For me, that should be the focus of our attention. The time it took for this trial to go on, the way the case was built and how quickly the court resolved it.

“Not allowing such trials to go on for years without end. So that whichever way the court decides your fate, it is now open to you whether to accept it or go on appeal.

“This should be a lesson to us; and I say it bearing in mind that there is a provision in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act that provides for day-to-day trials.

“Terrorism cases should go on day-to-day so that such matters are concluded and taken off the court’s list. Otherwise, we would be paying lip service to those provisions of the law.”