The Federal Government has officially designated Simon Ekpa and 15 other individuals as terrorism financiers. The government also named the Lakurawa Sect as a terrorist organization and a terrorism financier.
These actions were taken following their alleged involvement in funding and supporting terrorist activities.
The announcement came on Thursday, March 6, 2025, after the Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NSC), an independent body led by the Attorney General, recommended the designation. The Chairman of the NSC subsequently directed the inclusion of Simon Ekpa Njoku and others on the Nigeria Sanctions List.
According to the government, the decision was made in line with Section 54 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Under this 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.
Simon Ekpa Njoku, who was identified as a key financier of terrorism, was born on March 21, 1985. He reportedly facilitated at least 49 fundraisers in different countries between October 2023 and September 2024. Authorities claim that through his social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), he ordered attacks on government buildings, military bases, and paramilitary posts across southeastern Nigeria. These attacks reportedly resulted in significant loss of life, including security personnel and civilians, as well as widespread destruction of government and public property.
Ekpa’s address was listed as Kauppakatu 6 B, Zip: 15140, Lahti, Finland, with international passport number FP2927082. His known contact numbers include +35803555858 and 08063892983.
The government also designated several other individuals as terrorism financiers, based on intelligence reports linking them to the funding of terrorist groups.
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.
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).
Onwumere, born on March 5, 1987, was identified for using a Sterling Bank account, 0026224269, to receive funds from IPOB supporters. Similarly, 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.
Another person listed was 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 organize 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.
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.
Other individuals 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 Nigerian 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 info@nigsac.gov.ng.
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.
The FG also freezes bank accounts being operated by Simon Ekpa and 16 others for terrorism:
The designated individuals and entities are as follows:
1. Simon Ekpa Njoku 21-03-1985 Guaranty Trust Bank 0118835791, 0115442299, 0115442275
2. Godstime Promise Iyare 20-05-1996 Access Bank 0060032439, 1187008630, 1448136683. UBA 2212655102. Moniepoint 8197394552. Kuda 2007096158. Promicool Venture- Moniepoint 8197394576.
3. Francis Chukwuedo Mmaduabuchi 27-09-1987 Eco Bank 3941072599, Fidelity 6239280146, Opay 8037688095, Moniepoint 8196060258, 8196028438, 8196028452,5380383959, 5612325508,4730823866, 8037688095
4. John Anayo Onwumere 05-03-1987 Sterling 0026224269, Zenith 4230646454
5. Chikwuka Godwin Eze 05-05-1975 First Bank 3031299977, Access Bank 0110709618, 0108595489, 1132518632
6. Edwin Augustine Chukwuedo 27-05-1983 Union 0010808495, 0110232286, 0069247850, Eco Bank 2321194539, Opay 8169916076, Moniepoint 6786290317, 6786290300
7. Chinwendu Joy Owoh 10-02-1982 First Bank 3125731837, GTB 0115848475, Moniepoint 6474876289, Union 0014660761
8. Ginika Jane Orji 05-10-1995 Blueridge 8039231985, Opay 7059681248, 8106940744
9. Awo Uchechukwu 11-12-1978 First Bank 3060144916
10. Mercy Ebere Ifeoma Ali 07-07-1998 Access 1612608952, FCMB 6594319019, First Bank 3147574474
11. Ohagwu Nneka Juliana 15-08-1985 UBA 2147559148
12. Eze Chibuike Okpoto 12-01-1989 Access 0071127599, 1138098116, FCMB 3723955016, GT Bank 0123014963
13. Nwaobi Henry Chimezie 12-06-1991 Access 1113046148, 1113046148, UBA 2115584448, 2117752704, First Bank 3067985749, Moniepoint 8276850931,
14. Ogomu Peace Kewe 27-06-1997 Access 1840168323, UBA 2096777826, First Bank 3124937333, 2041450556, (USD) 3180578127, Zenith 2547460190, Opay 9069071154, Kuda 2028607838, Fidelity 6552642526, GT Bank 0258732080, Stanbic 0021280495
15. Igwe Ka Ala Enterprises 3750733 Access 1872085373, 0800331795. Fairmoney 2683102063. Fidelity 5090919707, GTB 0206153527, 0044247093, 0044247086, 0044247079, 0044247062, 0044247055, 0044247103, 4020644423. Opay 9023765613, 8035144914, 8126308128. Polaris 3124277058. Carbon 0629821223. Zenith 1226773554
16. Seficuvi Global Company 3225098 Access Bank 1436852548, Eco Bank 3831141439
17. Lakurawa Group NLLKW
“You’re required to report to the Sanctions Committee any assets frozen or actions taken in compliance with the prohibition requirements;
“(c) immediately file a Suspicious Transactions Report to the NFIU for further analysis on the financial activities of such an individual or entity; and
“(d) report as a Suspicious Transactions Report to the NFIU, all cases of name matching in financial transactions prior to or after receipt of this List.
“The freezing obligation required above shall extend to (a) all funds or other assets that are owned or controlled by the designated persons and entities, and not only those that are tied to a particular act, plot, or threat of terrorism or terrorism financing;
“(b) those funds or other assets that are wholly or jointly owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by designated persons or entities;
“(c) the funds or other assets derived or generated from funds or other assets owned or controlled directly or indirectly by designated persons or entities; and
“(d) funds or other assets of persons and entities acting on behalf of, or at the direction of designated persons or entities. A report of your compliance with this requirement may be sent to: secretatriat@nigsac.gov.ng, info@nigsac.gov.ng,” according to Daily Trust.
