The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has started investigating a passenger who was arrested with $265,000 in undeclared foreign currency at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano State. The suspect, a Nigerian passport holder, was arriving from New Delhi on Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET941 when he was arrested by Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officers during routine screening operations.
According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the passenger's luggage was flagged for secondary examination, leading to the discovery of the undeclared cash concealed among his personal belongings. The Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Usman Adamu, handed the suspect and the recovered funds over to the EFCC for further investigation.
The case highlights the role of Nigeria's border-control agencies in monitoring the movement of large amounts of foreign currency and other negotiable instruments into and out of the country. The enforcement of declaration requirements aims to improve transparency around cross-border financial transactions and prevent the movement of funds through channels that may evade regulatory scrutiny.
Adamu stated that the movement of foreign currency above the approved threshold without declaration contravened Sections 3 and 4 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, as well as relevant provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. The command had intercepted undeclared foreign currency and other negotiable instruments valued at more than ₦2.5 billion from January to date.
While the possession or movement of foreign currency is not in itself evidence of a financial crime, failure to comply with declaration requirements can trigger regulatory and investigative procedures. The volume of intercepted funds underscores the scale of currency movement that border agencies are required to monitor.
The Kano Acting Zonal Director, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE1 Friday Ebelo, received the suspect on behalf of the EFCC and described the handover as an example of inter-agency collaboration. Ebelo commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for creating an enabling environment for cooperation between the two agencies and praised Adamu and his officers for their vigilance.
The investigation will now determine the circumstances surrounding the possession of the $265,000, including the source of the funds, their intended destination, and whether any further offences were committed. The outcome could provide further clarity on the circumstances surrounding the cash and whether the suspect will face prosecution.
Key points
- The EFCC is investigating a passenger arrested with $265,000 undeclared foreign currency at Kano airport.
- The suspect was arrested by Nigeria Customs Service officers during routine screening operations.
- The case highlights the role of Nigeria's border-control agencies in monitoring the movement of large amounts of foreign currency.
