The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into Okorie Sunday, who was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for falsely declaring currency.
In a statement on Saturday, EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed that the suspect would face charges once the investigation is concluded. Sunday, who arrived from Johannesburg, South Africa, on Wednesday, initially declared $279,000 at the Currency Declaration Desk when entering the country. However, NCS officers uncovered an additional $299,000 concealed in separate packages, bringing the total undeclared amount to $578,000.
Further inspection revealed that Sunday also possessed €100 and a counterfeit $250 note, further compounding the violation of currency declaration laws. Effiong Harrison, the Area Comptroller of Customs at the airport, condemned the suspect's actions, noting that they violated the Money Laundering Prohibition Act of 2011, which mandates that amounts above $10,000 be declared upon entry or exit from the country.
Harrison confirmed that the money would be handed over to the EFCC for continued investigation. The EFCC’s Acting Zonal Director in Lagos, Ahmed Ghali, expressed appreciation for the cooperation between the EFCC and Customs, emphasizing the importance of inter-agency collaboration in tackling financial crimes.
“We are here to take over a passenger from South Africa who falsely declared the cash he was carrying into the country,” said Ghali. He also called on the public to comply with the law by declaring any amount exceeding $10,000 when entering or leaving Nigeria.
Ghali further warned against false declarations, stating that individuals attempting to undermine financial transparency would be caught, and that such actions not only undermine the financial system but also tarnish Nigeria’s image as a haven for fraud. He reiterated the EFCC’s commitment to safeguarding the country’s economy and ensuring the enforcement of financial regulations.
