The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced an investigation into two travellers arrested for allegedly failing to declare large sums of foreign currency at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Terminal 2, Lagos.
According to a statement released on the agency’s verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, the suspects — identified as Mamud Nasidi and Yahaya Nasidi — were apprehended by operatives of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) during a routine check.
The EFCC explained that the duo, who arrived in Nigeria from Dubai through Addis Ababa and were heading to Abuja, were found with $6,180 and £53,415 in cash, which they failed to declare as required by law.
Following their arrest, FAAN officials handed the suspects over to the Department of State Services (DSS) before they were transferred to the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 in Ikoyi for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The anti-graft agency also confirmed the seizure of three mobile phones found in the suspects’ possession. The items were officially received by CSE Margaret Lamai on behalf of the acting Zonal Director, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Ahmed Ghali.
In a statement, the EFCC said:
“Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Okotie Eboh, Ikoyi, Lagos, have commenced investigation into two travellers arrested by FAAN for allegedly failing to declare the sums of $6,180 and £53,415 in their possession. The suspects and the exhibits were received by CSE Margaret Lamai on behalf of the acting Zonal Director, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Ahmed Ghali.”
Earlier reports indicated that the suspects, who claimed to be security officers escorting a suspect and some cash “as exhibits,” were intercepted at the foot of an Aerocontractors aircraft while attempting to board.
The EFCC said the investigation is ongoing and that the suspects will be charged to court once all findings are concluded.
