Nigeria, on Wednesday, March 6, 2025, officially designated Simon Ekpa Njoku, and 15 other individuals as Terrorism financiers.
Ekpa who holds dual citizenship of Nigeria and Finland, is currently held in Finnis jail over alleged atrocious activities in his South-east region of Nigeria, ironically, carried out on his orders. He is being held on charges bordering on Terrorism and other sundry issues.
In the same position with Ekpa are 15 other persons and organisations. Leading the pack is the Lakurawa Sect a terrorist organization and terrorism financier.
They were so designated after the Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NSC), an independent body, headed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, recommended their designation.
Fagbemi thereafter directed the inclusion of Ekpa, as well and others on Nigeria Sanctions List.
This designations, said the FG, was made in line with Section 54 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
According to the provision provision, “all financial institutions and certain businesses are now required to immediately freeze, without prior notice, all funds and assets linked to the designated individuals and entities. They must also report any such frozen assets to the Secretariat of the Nigeria Sanctions Committee.
Additionally, any financial transactions involving these individuals must be flagged and reported to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). The law mandates strict compliance, warning that failure to adhere to these measures could result in both criminal and civil penalties, as well as reputational risks for financial institutions and businesses.”
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, had earlier disclosed that Nigeria has requested from the government of Finland, the extradition of Ekpa. It is not known if Nigeria and Finland has such relationship, but not a few think it will be a herculean task, seeing that Ekpa is a Finnis citizen, and had also, allegedly, served in its military.
His address was listed as Kauppakatu 6 B, Zip: 15140, Lahti, Finland, with international passport number FP2927082. His known contact numbers include +35803555858 and 08063892983.
*Based on intelligence reports which linked them to the funding of terrorist groups, some others were listed too. They include:
*Godstime Promise Iyare, born on May 20, 1996. He is alleged to be deeply involved in raising funds for terrorism activities. His United Bank for Africa (UBA) account, 2212655102, which was allegedly used to collect funds from supporters in Nigeria, gave him away.
It was also discovered by Security Agencies that his mobile phone number is linked to the National Identity Numbers (NIN) of two others —Chukwuekwu Iyare and Helen Ugbomor Lovelyn Iyare.
*There is, also, Francis Chukwuedo Mmadubuchi, born on September 27, 1987. His Moniepoint account, 8196060258, received donations from members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Others are:
*”John Anayo Onwumere, born on March 5, 1987, identified for using a Sterling Bank account, 0026224269, to receive funds from IPOB supporters.
*”Chikwuka Godwin Eze, born on May 5, 1975, named for operating an Access Bank account, 0108595489, which serves for the collection of contributions from members of a group identified as ‘Odumegu State Defacto and Urhobo Isoko State Defacto’.
*”Edwin Augustine Chukwuedo, born on May 27, 1983 His Flutterwave account, 9461730261, allegedly used for collection of funds for alleged terrorist activities.
*”Chiwendu Joy Owoh, born on February 10, 1982. Accused of helping to organize financial contributions in Nigeria using a Moniepoint account, 6474876289.
*”Ginika Jane Orji, born on October 5, 1995. Her Opay account, 8039231985, was reportedly used to collect funds from IPOB members in local chapters across Nigeria.
*”Awo Uchechukwu, born on December 11, 1978. He is designated a terrorist financier and identified as a commander of the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
“He is alleged to have received direct funding from Simon Ekpa to finance the group’s activities. His First Bank account, 3060144916, is said to be a major financial conduit.
“Others listed include Mercy Ebere Ifeoma Ali, Ohagwu Nneka Juliana, Eze Chibuike Okpoto, and Nwaobi Henry. Intelligence reports linked their bank accounts in Access Bank, UBA, and other financial institutions to transactions supporting terrorist organizations.
“The Federal government clarified that the asset-freezing mechanism is a preventive tool designed to disrupt terrorist activities by cutting off financial support. Financial institutions and businesses have been warned that failure to comply with these sanctions could lead to legal consequences.
Authorities have instructed 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.
Additionally, businesses and institutions must continue to monitor transactions for any links to the sanctioned individuals and report any findings to the Nigeria Sanctions Committee at [email protected].
“The Nigerian government has reiterated its commitment to fighting terrorism and has vowed to take strict action against individuals or entities found supporting terrorist groups through financial means.”
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