From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Federal Government of Nigeria has designated Finland-based separatist agitator, Simon Ekpa, as a terrorism financier.
The Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NSC), an independent body chaired by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, declared Ekpa and other individuals terrorist financiers on Thursday.
The other individuals include Awo Uchechukwu, Godstime Promise Iyare, John Anayo Onwumere, Chikwuka Godwin Eze, Francis Chukwuedo Maduabuchi, Edwin Augustine Chukwuedo, Chinwendu Joy Owoh, Ginika Jane Orji, Mercy Ebere Ifeoma Ali, Ohagwu Nneka Juliana, Eze Chibuike Okpoto, and Nwaobi Henry, It also declared the Lakurawa sect, a terrorist group and terrorism financier.
Ekpa, alongside four others, was arrested in November 2024 by Finnish authorities on suspicion of involvement in terrorism-related offences, including incitement to violence and terrorism financing.
According to the Committee, Ekpa, who resides at Kauppakatu 6 B, Zip: 15140, Lahti, Finland, with international passport number FP2927082, facilitated at least 49 fundraisers in different countries between October 2023 and September 2024. It claimed that through his social media platforms, particularly X, he ordered attacks on government buildings, military bases, and paramilitary posts across southeastern Nigeria.
These attacks reportedly resulted in significant loss of lives, including security personnel and civilians, as well as widespread destruction of government and public property.. Born on March 21, 1985. His known contact numbers include +35803555858 and 08063892983.
Awo Uchechukwu, born on December 11, 1978, was declared a terrorist financier and identified as a commander of the Eastern Security Network (ESN). Authorities allege that he received direct funding from Simon Ekpa to finance the group’s activities. His First Bank account, 3060144916, was cited as a major financial channel.
Godstime Promise Iyare, born on May 20, 1996, was identified as a key figure in local fundraising activities supporting terrorism. Authorities traced his involvement through a United Bank for Africa (UBA) account, 2212655102, which was allegedly used to collect funds from supporters in Nigeria.
Security agencies also discovered that his mobile phone number was linked to the National Identity Numbers (NIN) of two other individuals—Chukwuekwu Iyare and Helen Ugbomor Lovelyn Iyare.
John Anayo Onwumere, born on March 5, 1987, was identified for using a Sterling Bank account, 0026224269, to receive funds from IPOB supporters.
Chikwuka Godwin Eze, born on May 5, 1975, was named for operating an Access Bank account, 0108595489, that allegedly served as a collection point for contributions from members of a group identified as Odumegu State Defacto and Urhobo Isoko State Defacto.
Francis Chukwuedo Mmadubuchi, born on September 27, 1987, was also listed. Investigators reported that his Moniepoint account, 8196060258, received donations from members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Edwin Augustine Chukwuedo, born on May 27, 1983, whose Flutterwave account, 9461730261, was allegedly used to channel funds for terrorist activities.
Chiwendu Joy Owoh, born on February 10, 1982, was accused of helping to organise financial contributions within Nigeria through a Moniepoint account, 6474876289.
Ginika Jane Orji, born on October 5, 1995, was also placed on the sanctions list. Her Opay account, 8039231985, was reportedly used to collect funds from IPOB members in local chapters across Nigeria.
In line with Section 54 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, the Government directed banks and other financial service providers to identify and freeze all assets owned, controlled, or associated with the designated individuals and groups. This includes funds in accounts owned jointly or indirectly by them, as well as those managed on their behalf by third parties.
It further urged businesses and other institutions to monitor transactions for any links to the sanctioned individuals and report any findings to the Nigeria Sanctions Committee at info@nigsac.gov.ng.
