FG designates Simon Ekpa, 16 others as terrorism financiers, orders asset freeze

The Nigeria Sanctions Committee has officially designated 17 individuals and organizations as terrorism financiers, mandating the immediate freezing of their assets.

Among those named are Simon Ekpa, Godstime Promise Iyare, Francis Mmaduabuchi, John Onwumere, Chikwuka Eze, Edwin Chukwuedo, Chinwendu Owoh, Ginika Orji, Awo Uchechukwu, and Mercy Ebere Ifeoma Ali. Others include Ohagwu Juliana, Eze Okpoto, Nwaobi Chimezie, Ogomu Kewe, as well as three entities: Igwe Ka Ala Enterprises, Seficuvi Global Company, and Lakurawa Group.

A document obtained from the committee on Thursday confirmed that the list was approved by the President based on the recommendation of the Attorney General of the Federation.

The committee convened on March 6, 2024, to deliberate on individuals and entities involved in terrorism financing. Following the meeting, the Attorney General, with the President’s approval, sanctioned the inclusion of the listed names on the Nigeria Sanctions List.

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Citing Section 54 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, financial institutions and stakeholders were instructed to:

1. Freeze immediately—without prior notice—all funds, assets, and economic resources belonging to the designated individuals and entities and report to the Sanctions Committee.
2. Submit reports on frozen assets or actions taken in compliance with the sanctions.
3. File Suspicious Transactions Reports (STRs) to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) for further financial investigations.
4. Flag financial transactions linked to the named individuals and entities, both past and present, in their reporting to the NFIU.

Additionally, the committee emphasized that financial institutions must extend freezing measures to accounts associated with signatories and directors of the designated organizations to ensure full enforcement.

All financial institutions and relevant agencies have been directed to comply with the sanctions and submit enforcement reports to the Nigeria Sanctions Committee via its official communication channels.