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FG declares Simon Ekpa, 15 Others as Terrorism Financiers
The Federal Government has officially designated Simon Ekpa and 15 other individuals as terrorism financiers. The government also declared 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).
John Anayo 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 [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.
…handover Ogbeche, Osadebamwen, others to EFCC for probe
Speaking during a media interaction in Abuja, the Council under the leadership of Comrade Grace Ike shared details of the inquiry conducted by a committee established by the NUJ Congress. The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to enhance organisational accountability and strengthen internal governance systems.
The five-man panel, chaired by veteran journalist, Comrade Tony Akowe, included Comrade Ndubueze Chidoka (Secretary), Comrade Akin Orimolade, Comrade Princess Ekwi Ajide, and Comrade Imam Umar.
The committee’s scope covered activities from December 2018 to October 2021, encompassing the periods of past administrations led by Emmanuel Ogbeche and Patrick Osadebamwen.
According to the committee’s documentation, critical gaps were observed in record-keeping and transitional documentation. In addition, there was limited engagement from some former officeholders during the review process. The only available financial review for the period in question reportedly presented inconsistencies requiring further attention.
The committee noted that its work was hampered by a lack of cooperation from key figures of the past administration. According to Mr Akowe, no formal handover was done, and only a limited set of documents including one audited financial report and some rental receipts was made available.
Efforts to retrieve further documentation from the former chairman, Mr Patrick Osadebamwen, proved unsuccessful. He reportedly claimed to have submitted relevant documents to the NUJ National Secretariat, which has since denied receiving any such records.
The probe uncovered several questionable financial entries and unverified expenditures:
• A total of ₦33 million was declared as rental income between 2018 and 2021, but there was no breakdown showing the names of tenants or corresponding rent periods.
• The administration claimed to have received ₦7.2 million in donations yet failed to provide details or evidence of the sources.
• ₦5.28 million was spent on salaries for four to five staff, even though no single staff member earned more than ₦25,000 monthly.
• Over ₦1.7 million was reportedly spent on electricity, ₦285,000 on DStv/GOtv subscriptions, ₦78,000 on “public relations and entertainment”, and ₦1 million on transport and accommodation—all lacking adequate justification.
• A controversial line item showed ₦14 million received as rent “in advance”, with no associated documentation to validate it.
The committee’s report concluded that there was no transparency in the management of the union’s finances during the period under review.
Following the probe report, the NUJ-FCT Congress, in its sitting on 12 April 2025, adopted a series of resolutions aimed at protecting the Union’s integrity and financial stability.
The Council issued a public disclaimer against the following individuals, who have been warned to cease parading themselves as representatives of the NUJ-FCT Council:
• Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche, currently Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State.
• Mr Patrick Osadebamwen, immediate past Chairman and journalist with the Nigerian Tribune.
• Mr Ochiaka Ugwu, former Secretary of the Council and staff of People’s Daily.
In addition, Mrs Gloria Essien has been cautioned against representing the Council at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), as she no longer holds any official position within the NUJ-FCT.
The union also called on UBA Bank to freeze the NUJ-FCT Council’s accounts still under the control of former signatories (Account Nos: 1022765326, 1014057659, and Dollar Account: 3002941904), pending a full transition to the current leadership.
Furthermore, the NUJ-FCT will:
• Publish a formal disclaimer in national dailies.
• Notify the employers of the former officials about the resolutions.
• Alert government institutions, corporate bodies, and the general public not to engage with the aforementioned individuals on behalf of the NUJ-FCT Council.
The Council’s Secretary, Mr Jide Oyekunle, who anchored the press briefing, reiterated that the probe’s findings and the resolutions reflect the collective will of the NUJ-FCT Congress and the determination to protect members’ interests.
News
Finally , Lagos Court frees Quadri, young Nigerian who stood before Obi’s convoy in viral photo
The Apapa Magistrate Court, Court 9 sitting at Orege, Ajegunle – Sikiru Adagun Courthouse, has discharged and acquitted Alabi Quadri, the young Nigerian who became a national symbol of courage during the 2023 general elections, for standing boldly in front of the convoy of then-Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
He was discharged and acquitted of conspiracy to commit felony and armed robbery.
The court held that he has no case to answer.
Quadri was brought to court on Thursday, April 17, 2025, after spending months in Kirikiri Prison, Lagos.
The Nigerian Correctional Service produced Quadri at the Apapa Magistrate Court, located at Orege, Ajegunle—Sikiru Adagun Courthouse (Court No. 9).
Quadri’s case was initially slated for a hearing on April 28, 2025.
However, human rights lawyer and activist Inibehe Effiong had revealed that both he and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) requested that the date be moved forward, and the court granted the application.
Quadri gained widespread attention after a viral video showed him, a teenage boy at the time, fearlessly standing before Peter Obi’s campaign convoy—a moment many Nigerians interpreted as a symbol of youthful defiance and hope during a tense election period.
The media reported that Effiong revealed that Alabi’s recent painful descent into the Nigerian prison system was not due to any major crime but rather a result of prolonged malice and resentment harboured by some self-acclaimed ‘area boys’ (thugs) in his neighbourhood.
According to the lawyer, these individuals felt entitled to a portion of the unexpected attention and goodwill, including financial support, that Alabi received following his moment in the spotlight during the 2023 presidential campaign.
Effiong, who recently visited the Apapa Magisterial Court in Lagos alongside Alabi’s mother and legal colleagues, stated that Alabi’s journey to Kirikiri prison was not only heartbreaking but appeared to be the outcome of a vendetta fuelled by local ‘area boys’ who felt entitled to the financial support Alabi received after his viral moment.
Effiong revealed that Alabi was abducted in January near his home while returning from work by the ‘area boys’ who had been threatening him.
They allegedly took him to Amukoko Police Station (popularly known as Pako Police Station) and accused him of being involved in street fights.
However, Alabi was then arraigned before a Magistrate Court along with four other individuals, said to be complete strangers to him, on allegations of conspiracy to commit armed robbery with cutlasses.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged victims were robbed of N579,000, comprising cash and four mobile phones.
Effiong also emphasised that despite being a minor, Alabi had been detained with adults at Kirikiri since January, pending legal advice from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
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