What we are doing about suspect caught with $578,000 at Lagos airport – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has launched an investigation into Okorie Sunday, who was apprehended at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, with $578,000 in cash.

The suspect was initially detained by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) before being handed over to the EFCC for allegedly making a false currency declaration.

A statement by the anti-graft commission on Saturday, said Sunday arrived from Johannesburg, South Africa, on March 19, 2025, and declared $279,000 at the Currency Declaration Desk.

However, customs officials discovered an additional $299,000 concealed in different packages, bringing the total to $578,000. Further inspection also reportedly revealed 100 euros and a counterfeit $250 bill.

Speaking during the handover, an NCS official, Harrison, stated: “This is in contravention of the provisions of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011, which stipulates that any currency or other forms of negotiable instruments, where the value exceeds $10,000 threshold or its equivalent, must be properly declared for inbound and outbound passengers.”

On behalf of Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Harrison confirmed that the sum had been officially transferred to the EFCC for investigation.

Ahmed Ghali, Acting Zonal Director of Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 at the EFCC, expressed appreciation for the collaboration between agencies. “We are here today to take over one passenger coming from South Africa for falsely declaring the cash he was carrying along. I want members of the public to be wary of this kind of act,” he warned.

He further emphasized the importance of adhering to currency declaration laws, noting that “anyone engaged in false declaration or non-declaration will face the full force of the law.”

Ghali reassured that authorities would continue efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s financial system, stating: “We will not allow anyone to sabotage the economy. This kind of act exposes the country to risks related to money laundering and fraud. We will keep working together to ensure a stronger economy and a more effective financial system.”