THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced an investigation into one Haruna Yusuf over alleged multiple undeclared foreign currencies intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Monday, the anti-graft agency said the currencies, comprising $73,000, £15,957 and 827,800 Saudi Riyals, were intercepted during routine screening of arriving passengers between August 8 and 12.
According to the statement, U U Adamu, Acting Customs Area Comptroller of the Kano/Jigawa Command, said Customs officers on August 8 intercepted an unaccompanied Saudi Air luggage containing 827,800 Saudi Riyals and $53,300, which were concealed inside footwear.
Four days later, Customs officers also intercepted a luggage belonging to Yusuf, who arrived aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET941.
Adamu explained that secondary screening using non-intrusive inspection technology revealed $20,000 and £15,957 concealed inside sports shoes.
He subsequently handed Yusuf and the recovered currencies over to the EFCC on behalf of the NCS.
However, the statement did not explicitly state whether Yusuf was the owner of the unaccompanied luggage containing the Saudi Riyals and $53,300.
Adamu said the interceptions demonstrated the vigilance of Customs officers in detecting the cross-border movement of undeclared foreign currency.
He added that the NCS would continue to strengthen its collaboration with the EFCC and other relevant agencies in the fight against financial crimes.
Receiving the suspect and exhibits on behalf of EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, on Friday, Friday Ebelo, Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC Kano Directorate, said the failure to declare large sums of currency violated the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Ebelo urged travellers to comply with currency declaration requirements, noting that declaring money attracts no penalty, while legal concerns may arise from the source of undeclared funds.
He said the EFCC would conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and prosecute the case in accordance with the law.
