Shocking: FG Declares Simon Ekpa, 16 Others as Terrorism Funders

17 people and organizations have been named as terrorism funders by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee.

Simon Ekpa, Godstime Promise Iyare, John Onwumere, Francis Mmaduabuchi, Chikwuka Eze, Edwin Chukwuedo, Chinwendu Owoh, Ginika Orji, Awo Uchechukwu, and Mercy Ebere Ifeoma Ali are among the people listed.

The others are Lakurawa Group, Igwe Ka Ala Enterprises, Nwaobi Chimezie, Ohagwu Juliana, Eze Okpoto, and Ogomu Kewe.

The list was accepted by the President on the Attorney General of the Federation's proposal, according to a document that was taken from the committee on Thursday.

At a meeting of the Nigeria Sanctions Committee on March 6, 2024, some people and organizations were suggested for designation in light of their role in financing terrorism.

The following people and organizations have been added to the Nigeria Sanctions List by the Attorney General of the Federation, with the President's consent.

Section 54 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022 mandates that you:

(a) Find and freeze all money, assets, and other financial resources that belong to the designated individuals in your custody right away, without warning, and notify the Sanctions Committee of the situation.

(b) Report any frozen assets or measures taken in accordance with the prohibited requirements to the Sanctions Committee.

(c) Submit a Suspicious Transactions Report to the NFIU right away so that their financial activities can be further examined. 

"(d) Report all instances of name matching in financial transactions, either before or after receiving this list, to the NFIU as a STR."

The mentioned persons and entities' bank accounts and financial instruments across various banks, payment platforms, and financial institutions were ordered to be immediately frozen by the committee.

"All accounts linked to the selected subjects should be included in the freezing measures. To guarantee thorough enforcement of the sanctions regime, this should apply to designated businesses and include accounts connected to their signatories and directors, the letter continued.

Financial institutions and other pertinent parties have been directed to impose the sanctions and send compliance reports to the Nigeria Sanctions Committee at secretariat@nigsac.gov.ng and info@nigsac.gov.ng, the committee added.