EFCC Launches Probe as Two Travellers Nabbed Over Undeclared $6.1m, £53,000 at Lagos Airport
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into two travellers allegedly caught with undeclared foreign currencies totalling $6.18 million and £53,415 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Terminal 2, Lagos.
According to a statement released on Saturday via the EFCC’s verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, the suspects — identified as Mamud Nasidi and Yahaya Nasidi — were apprehended by personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) during a routine check.
The agency said the suspects were intercepted while attempting to board an Aerocontractors flight and were found with large amounts of cash they failed to declare as required by law.
Preliminary findings revealed that the duo had arrived in Nigeria from Dubai via Addis Ababa and were en route to Abuja when they were stopped. They reportedly claimed to be security officials travelling with a suspect and the money, which they alleged were “exhibits.”
Read Also:
However, EFCC stated that the explanation did not hold up under scrutiny, prompting their transfer to the anti-graft agency by the Department of State Services (DSS) for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The EFCC confirmed that three mobile phones were also seized from the suspects at the time of their arrest. The items and suspects were formally received by CSE Margaret Lamai on behalf of the Acting Zonal Director, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE I) Ahmed Ghali.
The statement read in part:
“Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Okotie Eboh, Ikoyi, Lagos, have commenced investigations of two travellers arrested by operatives of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, for allegedly failing to declare the sums of $6,180,000 and £53,415 cash in their possession.”
The EFCC said investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the money, its intended destination, and whether the suspects have links to money laundering or other financial crimes.
By PRNigeria
