Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into a man arrested for falsely declaring currency at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
Okorie Sunday was apprehended by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on March 19, 2025, upon arrival from Johannesburg, South Africa.
He initially declared $279,000, but a subsequent search revealed an additional $299,000 hidden in his belongings, bringing the total to $578,000. Authorities also discovered €100 and a counterfeit $250.
The EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 took over the case on March 21, 2025, after the NCS handed over the suspect.
An NCS official, Harrison, stated that the undeclared currency violated the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011, which requires passengers to declare any currency exceeding $10,000.
Ahmed Ghali, acting Zonal Director of EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, commended the NCS for its cooperation, emphasising the importance of inter-agency collaboration.
He warned against false or non-declaration of foreign currency, stating that such actions undermine Nigeria’s financial integrity and expose the country to risks such as money laundering.
“We will not allow anyone to sabotage the economy or the financial system,” Mr Ghali said. “This kind of act exposes the country to risks, including money laundering, and gives Nigeria a bad reputation globally. We will continue to synergize efforts to strengthen the economy and financial sector.”
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