The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Murtala Muhammed Airport command, has handed over $29,000 seized from two Indian nationals to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Speaking on Tuesday in Lagos during the handover, Effiong
Harrison, the command’s comptroller, said the money was intercepted after the
passengers falsely declared only $6,000 while boarding an Emirates flight to
India.
Harrison said the remaining $23,000, concealed in different
packages, was discovered during examination.
“This is in contravention of the Money Laundering
(Prohibition) Act, 2011, which mandates passengers travelling with more than
$10,000 or its equivalent to properly declare it,” Harrison said.
He added that the seized currency, along with the suspects’
international passports and other relevant documents, had been transferred to
the EFCC in line with the directive of Bashir Adeniyi, the comptroller-general
of customs.
Harrison reiterated the command’s commitment to curbing
illicit financial flows through the nation’s airports and warned that the
agency would not tolerate actions that damage the country’s reputation.
He added that the command had intensified its public sensitisation
efforts to foster compliance and boost investor confidence in Nigeria’s
business environment.
“We continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders and
government agencies to ensure that international gateways are not used for criminal
activities,” he said.
Receiving the suspects and the seized currency, Ahmed Ghali,
acting director of EFCC Lagos office 2, commended the customs command for the
interception.
Ghali, who was represented by Amachree Ibinabo, an EFCC
official, said the law permits individuals to travel with up to $10,000,
provided it is honestly declared.
He added that while the EFCC continues to sensitise the
public, it will also ensure that defaulters face the full wrath of the law.
“Nobody will stop you from travelling with your cash,
regardless of the amount, as long as you declare it,” Ibinabo said.
“This case will be properly investigated and prosecuted
accordingly.”
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