The recent sentencing of Simon Ekpa in Norway offers a critical reflection on Nigeria’s slow-moving judicial framework and underscores the urgent need for prompt investigation and prosecution of alleged offenders.
Ekpa, a self-proclaimed Biafra separatist activist residing in Finland, was found guilty of disseminating provocative content that fueled unrest in Nigeria’s South-East region. Remarkably, his trial concluded within just 10 months, resulting in convictions for terrorism-related offenses and tax evasion. This swift resolution highlights the efficiency, fairness, and commitment to national security characteristic of the Norwegian legal system.
This case starkly contrasts with the drawn-out legal saga of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), whose trial in Nigeria has been mired in delays and procedural complications.
Since Kanu’s extradition to Nigeria in June 2021, his court proceedings have been repeatedly postponed, often due to legal maneuvers and technical objections raised by his defense team. One of his lawyers revealed that the government has amended the charges against Kanu eleven times. Meanwhile, Norwegian authorities conducted a thorough investigation into Ekpa’s activities, even traveling to Nigeria to gather evidence before swiftly securing a conviction. In contrast, Nigerian prosecutorial bodies frequently initiate trials without comprehensive evidence, leading to extended detentions and protracted court cases.
This inefficiency contributes to the persistent issue of awaiting trial inmates (ATIs) in Nigeria’s correctional facilities. As of August 2025, government statistics indicate that nearly 67 percent of prisoners are held without trial, many languishing behind bars for years without facing a judge.
Similarly, numerous individuals suspected of involvement with terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and Ansaru remain detained indefinitely without formal convictions. Alarmingly, several high-profile terror suspects have escaped custody during prison breaks, including a coordinated ISWAP assault that freed 879 inmates, among them 64 of the most dangerous militants.
In 2022, reports surfaced that over 400 terror suspects were quietly released due to insufficient evidence after prolonged detention without trial. Such administrative lapses not only undermine justice but also jeopardize national security. Prolonged, indefinite detention erodes the state’s moral standing and weakens the rule of law.
Nigeria must draw lessons from the expeditious handling of Ekpa’s case in Norway. Delays in judicial processes severely damage public trust in the country’s legal institutions.
Facing multiple security challenges-including terrorism in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, separatist unrest in the South-East, and rampant kidnappings-the sluggish pace of justice emboldens criminals and allows manipulation of the system through legal stalling tactics.
Kanu’s ongoing trial epitomizes the flaws within Nigeria’s criminal justice system. Repeated adjournments, contradictory court decisions, and the failure of security agencies to adhere to bail and court orders have transformed what should be a transparent legal process into a prolonged political spectacle. This drawn-out case fuels conspiracy theories, deepens ethnic divisions, and fosters perceptions of either governmental incompetence or selective enforcement of the law.
In contrast, Norway’s decisive prosecution of Simon Ekpa-despite his activities being geographically removed from Europe-demonstrates a firm commitment to justice. If a foreign nation can act swiftly to neutralize threats linked to Nigeria, the Nigerian government should be even more capable of addressing internal security risks.
The key takeaway from Ekpa’s conviction is not just the speed of justice but the institutional determination behind it. Norway’s example shows that no individual, regardless of ideology or location, is beyond legal accountability. Nigeria must adopt a similar stance.
Criticism of Nigeria’s inefficient justice system has been persistent and widespread, yet the challenges remain unresolved. A thriving democracy cannot exist without a judiciary that commands public confidence.
Therefore, comprehensive judicial reforms are imperative to reduce unnecessary adjournments and close exploitable legal gaps. Adequate funding and training for prosecutors and judges are essential. The judiciary must maintain impartiality, especially in politically sensitive cases, ensuring that trials like Kanu’s are handled strictly as legal matters. Additionally, digitizing court procedures would enhance efficiency and case management.
Until Nigeria establishes a justice system that is swift, equitable, and courageous, the nation will continue to grapple with insecurity, impunity, and widespread public disillusionment. While Ekpa’s conviction abroad offers some solace, it should never have been necessary. Nigeria must reclaim its authority to enforce laws promptly and fairly within its own borders. As the saying goes, justice delayed is justice denied.
