Legal experts have warned that individuals donating funds to Simon Ekpa could face charges of terrorism.
Despite the Finnish police’s detention of the separatist leader, some members of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) are still urging people to contribute money.
In a video shared on X, titled “Biafra Freedom. Vote, Donate, Support BRGIE,” the group’s purported Minister of Information, @Akparawasunny, on Saturday featured a woman identified as Ada Biafra, who claimed Ekpa would return next week. She said, “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.
On X, @kingchuks01 declared, “Whether they like or not we must talk about Biafra and we must achieve Biafra.”
In response, @Chrismo80164240 commented, “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?”
Meanwhile, @realdonpri wrote, “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.”
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!”
Kunle Edun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), stated that anyone funding terrorism is guilty of an offense. He explained, “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 offense 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 offense under the Act. It is critical that the intent of the suspects must be proved to commit or support acts of terrorism.”
He continued, “It is in this wise, that the alleged crowdfunding organised by Simon Ekpa whereby donors were said to have 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.”
Ayo Ademiluyi, a legal practitioner, emphasized that donations to Ekpa’s cause could be considered evidence of terrorism, as IPOB has been designated a terrorist organization.
“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.
Eze Onyekpere, another legal practitioner, compared the funding of Ekpa’s cause to supporting other terrorist groups, saying, “This is just like somebody funding Boko Haram or the terrorists in the northwest.”
Additionally, Okechukwu Nwanguma, Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, called on the federal government to engage in constructive dialogue with community and youth leaders in the Southeast to promote peace.
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