The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into a man, Okorie Sunday, who was apprehended by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, for false currency declaration.
Sunday was arrested on March 19, 2025, upon his arrival from Johannesburg, South Africa. While he initially declared $279,000 at the Currency Declaration Desk, a thorough search uncovered an additional $299,000 concealed in various packages, bringing the total sum in his possession to $578,000. Authorities also discovered €100 and a counterfeit $250 among his belongings.
The EFCC, in a statement on Saturday by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, confirmed that the agency’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 officially took over the case on March 21, 2025, following the suspect’s handover by the NCS Area Comptroller at the airport.
During the handover, NCS official Harrison stated that Sunday’s actions violated the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011, which requires all inbound and outbound passengers to declare any currency exceeding $10,000.
Receiving the suspect, the Acting Zonal Director of EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Ahmed Ghali, commended the NCS for its cooperation, emphasizing the importance of inter-agency collaboration in tackling financial crimes.
“We are here today to take over one passenger coming from South Africa for falsely declaring the cash he was carrying. I want members of the public to be wary of this kind of act. It is incumbent on every individual traveling in or out of the country to declare any cash exceeding $10,000. This is mandatory under our laws, particularly the money laundering law,” Ghali said.
He further warned against false or non-declaration of foreign currency, stressing that such offenses pose a threat to Nigeria’s financial integrity.
“We will not allow anyone to sabotage the economy or the financial system. This kind of act exposes the country to risks, including money laundering, and tarnishes Nigeria’s global reputation. We will continue to strengthen our efforts to protect the economy and financial sector,” Ghali stated.
