The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into Okorie Sunday, who was apprehended at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, with $578,000 by the Nigeria Customs Service.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the development in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, stating that the suspect would be prosecuted once the investigation is completed.
According to Oyewale, Effiong Harrison, the area comptroller of customs at the airport, handed Sunday over to the EFCC on Friday for making a false currency declaration.
The suspect, who arrived from Johannesburg, South Africa, on Wednesday, initially declared $279,000 at the currency declaration desk.
However, a subsequent search uncovered an additional $299,000 hidden in separate packages, bringing the total sum to $578,000.
Authorities also found €100 and a counterfeit $250 note in his possession.
Ahmed Ghali, EFCC’s acting zonal director in Lagos, received the suspect and praised the customs service for its cooperation.
He stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration in tackling financial crimes.
Ghali reminded the public that declaring any amount above $10,000 when entering or exiting Nigeria is mandatory under the country’s money laundering laws.
He urged citizens to comply with financial regulations, warning that false declarations would not be tolerated.
“We will not allow any actions that jeopardize the economy or financial system, as such practices contribute to money laundering risks and economic instability,” he stated.
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