By Correspondent in Lagos.
IThe Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command, has handed over a male passenger and a total of $578,000 in undeclared foreign currency to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over suspected money laundering.
The suspect, who arrived at MMIA aboard South African Airways Flight SA60 from Johannesburg on Wednesday, initially declared $279,000 at the Currency Declaration Desk. However, a subsequent search revealed an additional $299,000 concealed in different packages, along with €100 and a counterfeit $250 bill.
Comptroller Effiong Harrison, the command’s head, officially transferred the suspect and seized currency to the EFCC on Friday, in compliance with a directive from the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adeniyi.
He stated that the act of false declaration violated the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, which mandates passengers carrying cash or negotiable instruments exceeding $10,000 to declare them upon arrival or departure.
“This concealment is a clear case of financial crime. The suspect deliberately failed to make a full declaration and attempted to smuggle funds in violation of the law,” Harrison said.
The suspect’s international passport and other travel documents were also handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Speaking at the handover, Ahmed Ghali, Acting Director, Lagos Office 2 of the EFCC, commended the customs officials for their vigilance. He warned travelers against violating financial regulations, emphasizing that proper declaration of funds was crucial in preventing illicit financial flows.
“Nobody will stop you from traveling with your cash as long as you declare it, no matter the amount,” Ghali stated.
The EFCC is expected to continue investigations into the suspect’s source of funds and possible links to criminal activities, with a view to pressing appropriate charges in accordance with the law.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
