By Ayomide Otitoju
The Federal Government has uncovered how Simon Ekpa, the self-styled leader of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), allegedly used accounts domiciled in MoniePoint Microfinance Bank for terrorist financing.
Following an investigation conducted by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NSC), which examined a list of account numbers linked to terrorism financing across MoniePoint Microfinance Bank and other financial institutions, the government has moved to sanction the implicated accounts and prosecute their holders.
The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) confirmed that the action aligns with Section 54 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, empowering authorities to impose sanctions on individuals and entities associated with terror-related activities.
According to the NFIU, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), acting on President Bola Tinubu’s approval, authorized the designation of the implicated individuals and organizations, leading to their official inclusion in the Nigeria Sanctions List.
As part of the enforcement measures, authorities have been directed to identify and freeze all funds, assets, and economic resources linked to the sanctioned entities without prior notice.
The full list of MoniePoint Microfinance Bank account numbers used in terrorist financing will be released in the next publication. Meanwhile, sources indicate that Simon Ekpa remains in detention in Finland, where he faces charges related to alleged terrorist activities.
