The Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Friday, intercepted $578,000 cash and handed it over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation following a case of false currency declaration by a traveller.
The suspect, who flew into Lagos on South African Airways from Johannesburg on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, initially declared $279,000 at the Currency Declaration Desk.
However, further inspection uncovered an additional $299,000 concealed in various packages, bringing the total to $578,000.
Authorities also found 100 euros and a counterfeit $250 in possession.
According to Customs, the suspect’s actions violated the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2021, which requires individuals to declare any currency or negotiable instruments exceeding $10,000. The false declaration led to the suspect being handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.
Speaking to journalists at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, the Customs Area Controller, Effiong John Harrison, stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration in maintaining economic security and national well-being.
“We have been facing issues with people engaging in activities detrimental to the growth and prosperity of this country. One such set of groups includes currency traffickers, whose actions harm the economy by hindering growth, devaluing our currency, and eroding public trust in the financial system.
“Today, we reaffirm our resolute to the public in arresting and stopping nefarious activities that have brought the country into disrepute with the international community. We are ready and continuously working together as organisations of government to ensure that those who engage in these activities do not use the International Airport in Lagos for their nefarious activities.
“We will continue to promote a situation whereby the country is safe as an investment destination. We want to promote a system whereby investors have the confidence to come to Nigeria to do business,” he stated.
Acting Zonal Director of Lagos II for EFCC, ACE1 Ahmed Ghali, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for their swift and effective action in apprehending the passenger involved in the false currency declaration.
Ghali emphasised the importance of adhering to legal requirements, stating, “I urge members of the public to comply with the law, which requires passengers travelling in or out of Nigeria to declare any cash exceeding $10,000.
Honest and accurate declarations are mandatory and straightforward. Non-compliance, including false or non-declaration, is a crime. Such acts jeopardize our economy, financial systems, and global reputation by exposing us to money laundering risks and sanctions.
“Passengers must understand that declaring their cash ensures accountability. No one will prevent travellers from carrying cash, regardless of the amount, as long as they fulfil the legal requirement of declaring it. Together, we strive to curb financial crimes and bolster Nigeria’s economic integrity.
“As for our collaboration with Customs, I affirm that we maintain a strong working relationship, sharing a common goal of serving our nation and upholding the rule of law. This partnership is essential and ongoing. In cases like this, we follow due process, including investigations into the authenticity of the intercepted currency and its potential connections to money laundering.”
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