Donors supporting Simon Ekpa guilty of terrorism, say lawyers

Legal experts have said individuals donating funds to Simon Ekpa can be charged with terrorism.

Despite the detention of the separatist leader by the Finnish police, some members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra have continued to persuade people to donate money.

In a video posted on X with the caption “Biafra Freedom. Vote, Donate, Support BRGIE” by the purported Minister of Information of the outlawed group @Akparawasunny on Saturday, a woman who identified herself as Ada Biafra, in a live video seen by our correspondent, said Ekpa would be back next week.

“A flier is there our supporters (a flier that contains the information about the donation). We are buying groundnuts (bullets) for the gallant men, because no groundnut that goes out comes back in. We need to refill,” she explained.

An X user, @kingchuks01, posted, “Whether they like or not we must talk about Biafra and we must achieve Biafra.”

Opposing the post, another X user, @Chrismo80164240, said, “You shouldn’t be talking about donation if truly you guys are serious about December 2nd declaration. I only see it as scam. By the way let me ask you, donate to do what with the money?”

Another X user, @realdonpri, posted, “Let him stay there so he can feel the same pain those poor people in SE has been feeling every Monday. It’s easy to stay at the comfort of yout home and insight violence. I have zero sympathy for him. He’s very arrogant & can neva b the face of Biafra.”

In a separate post, another user, @nwaEleberi, posted, “@simon_ekpa is ordained fraudster & a known terrorist! All his foolish followers must demand accountability from him! He has been busy drinking expensive champagne & living large!”

Speaking to Sunday PUNCH, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kunle Edun, said individuals financing terrorism was guilty.

He said, “Sections 2, 21 and 22 of the Act are clear that terrorism and financing of terrorism are prohibited in Nigeria. Any person that financially supports or makes his resources, services or facilities available to persons knowingly engaged in terrorist activities is equally liable and offence under the Terrorism Act can attract up to the maximum life imprisonment but if death occurs while committing the act, death penalty will apply.  An attempt to do any of the foregoing is equally an offence under the Act. It is critical that the intent of the suspects must be proved to commit or support acts of terrorism.

“It is in this wise, that the alleged crowdfunding organised by Simon Ekpa whereby donors were said to made funds available to him, becomes very concerning. If it is established either by direct or circumstantial evidence that the donors were aware or ought to have been aware of the purpose of the crowdfunding and the activities of Simon Ekpa they could be charged for financing terrorism. Therefore, a thorough investigation will be required to gather these evidence, as the burden is on the Prosecution to prove the charge.”

A legal practitioner, Ayo Ademiluyi, said those donating to Ekpa’s cause were simply terrorists because the organisation had been proscribed.

“By virtue of the declaration of IPOB and any other secessionist groups as terrorist organisations, any funding to it constitutes evidence of that crime. So, in this case, crowdfunding is an accessory to the fact. This is because the organisation has been labelled as a terrorist organisation,” he said.

Another legal practitioner, Eze Onyekpere, stated that those funding Ekpa were supporting terrorism.

He said, “This is just like somebody funding Boko Haram or the terrorists in the northwest.”

Also speaking, the Executive Director of Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, Okechukwu Nwanguma, encouraged the federal government to initiate constructive dialogues with community and youth leaders to bring peace to Southeast.