Lagos, Nigeria – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into Okorie Sylvernus Sunday, apprehended at Murtala Muhammed International Airport with $578,000 in undeclared cash.
Authorities arrested the suspect following a tip-off by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for false currency declaration.
Meanwhile, the NCS revealed Sunday arrived from Johannesburg, South Africa, on March 19, 2025.
He initially declared $279,000 at the airport’s Currency Declaration Desk.
During a routine inspection, however, officials uncovered an additional $299,000 hidden in concealed packages.
Authorities also discovered 100 Euros and a counterfeit $250 bill in his possession.
Subsequently, NCS Area Comptroller E.J. Harrison transferred the suspect and seized funds to the EFCC on March 21, 2025.
Harrison emphasized Sunday’s actions violated Nigeria’s Money Laundering Prohibition Act (2011), which requires passengers to declare cash exceeding $10,000.
“This breach necessitates rigorous prosecution,” Harrison stated, underscoring the NCS’s commitment to enforcing financial laws.
In response, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed immediate commencement of investigations.
Oyewale highlighted concerns over Sunday’s deliberate fund concealment, stressing the risks such acts pose to Nigeria’s financial integrity.
Furthermore, EFCC Acting Zonal Director Ahmed Ghali praised the NCS’s collaboration, noting strengthened interagency efforts combat illicit finance.
“Compliance with disclosure laws is non-negotiable,” Ghali asserted.
He warned travelers against false declarations, citing severe penalties, including prosecution under anti-money laundering statutes.
Additionally, Ghali urged public vigilance, emphasizing collective responsibility in curbing financial crimes.
“Transparency safeguards national economic stability,” he remarked, reiterating the EFCC’s resolve to pursue violators.
Investigators now seek to determine if Sunday’s case links to broader money laundering networks.
Forensic experts are scrutinizing the counterfeit bill and tracing the cash’s origins. The suspect remains detained pending further inquiries.
This incident underscores Nigeria’s intensified crackdown on illicit financial flows through ports.
Recent months have seen multiple seizures, reflecting stricter enforcement of anti-money laundering protocols.
Ultimately, the EFCC aims to prosecute offenders swiftly, deterring future violations.
Legal analysts predict heightened scrutiny of international travelers and tighter surveillance at entry points.
Looking ahead, the commission plans public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on currency declaration rules.
Such initiatives aim to reduce inadvertent breaches while isolating deliberate offenders.
The case has sparked debates on Nigeria’s evolving anti-corruption strategies, with stakeholders advocating advanced detection technologies and enhanced interagency coordination.
As investigations progress, the EFCC vows to disclose findings transparently.
Officials assure the public of relentless efforts to uphold financial accountability and national security.
