Facts have emerged on how the self-styled leader of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), Simon Ekpa, used Access Bank Plc accounts for terrorist financing.
ENigeria News reports that the Federal government, following recommendations by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NSC), which investigated a list of account numbers used in terrorism financing accounts domiciled in the Aigboje Aig Imoukhuede-led Access Bank Plc and other financial institutions in the country, upon conclusion of a high-level meeting in Abuja, advised that the accounts should be sanctioned, and the account holders prosecuted.
According to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the action is in line with Section 54 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which empowers the government to impose sanctions on individuals and organizations linked to terror-related activities.
The NFIU disclosed that the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), acting on the approval of President Bola Tinubu, authorized the designation of the individuals and entities, leading to their official inclusion in the Nigeria Sanctions List.
ENigeria News understands that as part of the enforcement measures, authorities have been directed to identify and freeze all funds, assets, and other economic resources linked to the sanctioned individuals and organizations without prior notice.
The Access Bank Account Numbers Used for Terrorist Financing are Listed Below:
Here is a list of account numbers domiciled in Access Bank (other banks in next publication), used for terrorism financing by Simon Ekpa, who is currently languishing in Finland prison on charges of alleged terrorist activities.
Access Bank account numbers : 0110709618,
0108595489,
1132518632
0060032439,
1187008630,
1448136683,
1612608952,
0071127599,
1138098116,
1113046148,
1113046148,
1872085373,
0800331795,
1436852548.
ENigeria News reports that the FG further mandated that financial institutions and relevant agencies should ensure a complete asset freeze on all accounts associated with the listed persons and entities.
“For designated entities, this should include accounts linked to their signatories and directors to ensure comprehensive enforcement of the sanctions regime,” the statement from the NFIU read.
NFIU added, “You’re required to report to the Sanctions Committee any assets frozen or actions taken in compliance with the prohibition requirements;
“(c) immediately file a Suspicious Transactions Report to the NFIU for further analysis on the financial activities of such an individual or entity; and
“(d) report as a suspicious transactions report to the NFIU, all cases of name matching in financial transactions prior to or after receipt of this list.
“The freezing obligation required above shall extend to (a) all funds or other assets that are owned or controlled by the designated persons and entities, and not only those that are tied to a particular act, plot, or threat of terrorism or terrorism financing;
“(b) those funds or other assets that are wholly or jointly owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by designated persons or entities;
“(c) the funds or other assets derived or generated from funds or other assets owned or controlled directly or indirectly by designated persons or entities; and
“(d) funds or other assets of persons and entities acting on behalf of, or at the direction of designated persons or entities. A report of your compliance with this requirement may be sent to: secretatriat@nigsac.gov.ng, info@nigsac.gov.ng.”
