The Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service said it has seized and handed over the sum of $29,000 seized from two male passengers to the representative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Handing over the foreign currency to the EFCC in Lagos on Tuesday, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command, Comptroller Effiong Harrison, said the money was falsely declared by the passenger at the airport.
While handing over the intercepted currency to the EFCC. stated that the mov followed a directive from the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adeniyi, he stated that the action was in contravention of the provisions of Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.
The command head said the passengers’ International Passports and other relevant documents were also handed over to the EFCC for necessary action.
Giving account of the interception, the CAC said, ‘The suspects, two Indian male passengers about to travel to India with an Emirate Flight on Tuesday, He approached the Currency Declaration Desk and declared a total $6,000. Upon examination, additional sum of $23,000 was discovered neatly concealed in different packages. thereby bringing the total sum to $29,000.
“This is in contravention of the provisions of Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.
“This Act 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.”
Harrison said the command was committed to arresting and stopping unlawful activities that brought the country into disrepute.
The controller said, customs was ready and continuously collaborating with stakeholders and other relevant government agencies in ensuring that those who are engaged in money laundering do not use international airport in Lagos for their criminal activities.
He said that they had sensitisation programmes to promote a situation whereby the country was safe and would also encourage foreigners to do business in Nigeria.
The CAC further stated that Customs was working toward promoting a system where investors would have confidence to come to Nigeria to do business in line with government policies.
He warned offenders to desist, adding that economic policies were not being adhered to and Nigeria was losing revenue as a result of such activities.
He said that the the suspects should have told the truth and declared accordingly.
Harrison said customs was handing over the money and their travelling documents and all other information that they gave to customs voluntarily to the EFCC for further investigation.
While receiving the suspects and the foreign currencies, the Acting Director, Lagos Office 2 of the EFCC, Mr Ahmed Ghali, who was represented by Mrs Amachree Ibinabi, commended the efforts of the comptroller and officers of the command, he urged members of the public to be wary of such act, adding that the provision of the law was very clear on money declaration.
He explained that passengers were allowed to carry along 10,000 dollars while traveling and arriving the country and any additional money would be declared.
“The law required the traveller to make honest declaration.
“Nobody will stop you from travelling with your cash in as much as you declare, no matter the amount.
“We sensitise the public on their obligations, in terms of currency declaration.
Having done that this afternoon, we now have this seizure.
“It’s also to show the public that the sensitisation is to prevent Incidences like this. But, whereas, the prevention now fails, the EFCC is always there to ensure that the laws are properly enforced.
“This case will be properly investigated and persecuted accordingly,” He said.
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