Top Stories

FG designates Simon Ekpa, 16 entities as ‘terrorism financiers’, freezes their accounts

March 6, 2025 9:54 pm

Simon Ekpa

The Nigeria sanctions committee (NSC) has designated Simon Ekpa, the controversial Biafra agitator, and 16 entities as alleged terrorism financiers in the country.

The committee announced the decision at the end of a meeting held in Abuja on Thursday.

The committee is the national body responsible for the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) on targeted financial sanctions.

The committee, chaired by Lateef Fagbemi, the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, is expected to trace and freeze the financial flows of terrorist organisations.

In a statement released after the meeting, the committee disclosed the identities of 17 individuals and entities, along with their bank details, who will be included in the Nigeria sanctions list.

The committee said all financial institutions are required to “immediately identify and freeze, without prior notice, all funds, assets, and any other economic resources belonging to the designated persons and entities in your possession and report the same to the secretariat.”

“Report to the Secretariat of the Nigeria Sanctions Committee any assets frozen or actions taken in compliance with the designation, including attempted transactions,” part of the directive to financial institutions reads.

“Immediately file a suspicious transactions report to the NFIU for further analysis on the financial activities of such an individual or entity.

“Report as a suspicious transactions report to the NFIU all cases of name matching in financial transactions prior to or after receipt of the Nigerian Sanctions List.”

One of the popular individuals named in the list is Ekpa, a self-proclaimed leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

In November 2024, Ekpa was arrested in Finland over alleged “spreading terrorist propaganda on social media.” He is currently in prison pending the commencement of his trial in May 2025.

FULL LIST

1. Simon Ekpa Njoku

2. Godstime Promise Iyare

3. Francis Chukwuedo Mmaduabuchi

4. John Anayo Onwumere

5. Chikwuka Godwin Eze

6. Edwin Augustine Chukwuedo

7. Chinwendu Joy Owoh

8. Ginika Jane Orji

9. Awo Uchechukwu

10. Mercy Ebere Ifeoma Ali

11. Ohagwu Nneka Juliana