President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the designation of Finland-based Biafra nation agitator, Simon Ekpa Njoku, and 15 others as terrorism financiers.
Consequently, the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, has listed the indicted Nigerians and certain entities on the Nigeria Sanctions List.
At the Nigeria Sanctions Committee meeting on 6th March 2025, the Nigerian government invoked Section 54 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, to take action against those indicted for alleged acts of terrorism against the country.
By invoking the Act, the Nigeria Sanctions Committee has been mandated to immediately identify and freeze, without prior notice, all funds, assets, and any other economic resources belonging to the designated individuals, in possession of banks, and report the same to the Sanctions Committee.
Banks and other financial institutions are required to report to the Sanctions Committee any assets frozen or actions taken in compliance with the prohibition requirements and to immediately file a Suspicious Transactions Report to the NFIU for further analysis of the financial activities of such individuals or entities.
Among those designated as terrorism financiers are Godstime Promise Iyare, Francis Chukwuedo, John Anayo Onwumere, Chikwuka Godwin Eze, Edwin Augustine Chukwuedo, and Chinwendu Joy Owoh.
Others include Ginika Jane Orji, Awo Uchechukwu, Mercy Ebere Ifeoma Ali, Ohagwu Nneka Juliana, Eze Chibuike Okpoto, Nwaobi Henry Chimezie, Ogomu Peace Kewe, Igwe Ka Ala, Seficuvi Global Company, and Lakurawa Group.
A statement from the AGF on Wednesday directed that freezing measures should be extended to all accounts associated with the designated individuals and entities.
For designated entities, the statement specified that the freezing should include accounts linked to their signatories and directors to ensure comprehensive enforcement of the sanctions regime.
