The Nigerian government has listed Simon Ekpa, the Lakurawa terror group, and 15 others as terrorism financiers. The Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NSC) made this known in a document released after its meeting on March 6.
Chaired by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, the NSC said the persons and businesses “were recommended for designation following their involvement with terrorism financing.” President Bola Tinubu approved the decision.
The NSC said 13 of the 15 business entities on the list are linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) or the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE).
Some of the designated IPOB or BRGIE members include Godstime Iyare, Francis Mmaduabuchi, John Onwumere, Chikwuka Eze, Edwin Chukwuedo, Chinwendu Owoh and Ginika Orji.
Others are Awo Uchechukwu, Mercy Ali, Ohagwu Juliana, Eze Okpoto, Nwaobi Chimezie and Ogomu Kewe.
Their designation was in line with Section 54 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, the NSC stated, outlining four major sanctions against the designated persons.
Simon Ekpa, based in Finland, is accused of organizing 49 fundraisers between October 2023 and September 2024. The NSC said he used social media to call for attacks on government and security facilities in Nigeria’s southeast. This, they claimed, led to the deaths of security personnel and civilians and destruction of properties.
Government Freezes Assets
The NSC ordered the immediate freezing of funds, assets, and economic resources belonging to those named. Financial institutions were instructed to report any transactions linked to the designated individuals and businesses.
Two companies, Igwe Ka Ala Enterprises and Seficuvi Global Company, were also listed. According to the NSC, these businesses allegedly helped channel funds to IPOB and BRGIE.
The committee said Igwe Ka Ala Enterprises received donations through its Zenith Bank account, while Seficuvi Global Company allegedly facilitated transactions for BRGIE members in Nigeria.
The Lakurawa terror group, linked to al-Qaeda’s JNIM, was designated for violent attacks and imposing radical laws in Nigeria’s northwest. The NSC accused the group of enforcing strict governance, recruiting young people through financial incentives, and financing itself through extortion, kidnapping, and cattle rustling.
IPOB’s History with the Government
IPOB has been pushing for Biafra’s sovereignty, an effort which led to the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970). Its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, was arrested in 2015 and charged with treason. In 2017, IPOB was declared a terrorist group.
In 2021, the Nigerian government captured Kanu in Kenya and returned him to detention. Despite this, IPOB continues its activities, but often brutally suppressed by Nigeria’s security forces.
Last year, Finnish authorities arrested Mr Ekpa and four others following pressure from Nigeria. Finnish police accused them of contributing to violence in Nigeria’s southeast region.
Ekpa still faces trial n Finland.
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