Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over $29,000 seized from two Indian nationals to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) due to false declaration.
Gatekeepers News reports that the money was intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos while the passengers were boarding an Emirates flight to India.
According to Effiong Harrison, Comptroller of the MMIA Command, the passengers declared only $6,000, but a search revealed an additional $23,000 concealed in different packages. This action is in contravention of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, which requires passengers to declare amounts exceeding $10,000.
“Nobody will stop you from travelling with your cash, regardless of the amount, as long as you declare it,” said Amachree Ibinabo, an EFCC official representing Ahmed Ghali, Acting Director of EFCC Lagos Office 2. The EFCC will investigate and prosecute the case accordingly.
The Customs Service has reiterated its commitment to curbing illicit financial flows through Nigerian airports and protecting the country’s reputation.
“We continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders and government agencies to ensure that international gateways are not used for criminal activities,” Harrison emphasised.
The seized currency, along with the suspects’ international passports and relevant documents, has been transferred to the EFCC for further action.
