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).
