Legal experts have stated that individuals providing financial support to Simon Ekpa could face charges of terrorism.
Despite Ekpa’s detention by Finnish authorities, some members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have continued soliciting donations.
In a recent video shared on X by a purported IPOB representative, a woman identifying herself as “Ada Biafra” encouraged donations to Ekpa’s cause, referring to the funds as contributions for ammunition.
The video and other posts sparked debates online, with some users expressing skepticism about the donations’ legitimacy, while others criticized Ekpa’s actions.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kunle Edun, highlighted that Nigeria’s Terrorism Act strictly prohibits financing terrorism. He explained that anyone knowingly supporting individuals or groups involved in terrorism is liable under the law, with penalties ranging from life imprisonment to the death penalty if the acts result in fatalities. He emphasized the need for thorough investigations to prove donors’ intent in supporting terrorist activities.
Similarly, legal practitioner Ayo Ademiluyi noted that IPOB’s proscription as a terrorist organization means any financial support to it is legally considered a crime. He referred to crowdfunding efforts for IPOB as acts of complicity in terrorism.
Eze Onyekpere, another legal expert, compared the funding of Ekpa’s activities to supporting groups like Boko Haram. He stated that such actions amount to backing terrorism.
Okechukwu Nwanguma, Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, advocated for peaceful resolutions. He called on the federal government to engage in dialogue with Southeast leaders to address ongoing tensions and promote stability in the region.
