By Emmanuel Nduka Obisue
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has commenced investigations into two travellers arrested for being in possession of undeclared foreign currencies amounting to over $6 million and £53,000 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Terminal 2, Lagos.
The EFCC made this known in a statement posted on its verified X handle on Saturday.
According to the commission, operatives of its Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, based in Ikoyi, identified the suspects as Mamud Nasidi and Yahaya Nasidi, who were apprehended by personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) during a routine check.
Reports indicated that the suspects were intercepted as they attempted to board an Aero Contractors aircraft, carrying undeclared cash running into over $6.1 million. The duo reportedly claimed to be security operatives travelling with a suspect and the money as exhibits.
However, the EFCC clarified that the men, who arrived in Nigeria from Dubai via Addis Ababa and were en route to Abuja, allegedly failed to declare the sums of $6,180 and £53,415 in their possession as required by law.
Following their arrest, they were first handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) before being transferred to the EFCC for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The anti-graft agency also confirmed the seizure of three mobile phones found on the suspects at the time of their arrest.
The EFCC statement read, “Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Okotie Eboh, Ikoyi, Lagos, have commenced investigations of two travellers arrested by operatives of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, for allegedly failing to declare the sums of $6,180 and £53,415 cash in their possession. Also found on the suspects are three mobile phones. The suspects and the exhibits were received by CSE Margaret Lamai on behalf of the acting Zonal Director, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE1 Ahmed Ghali”.
Investigations into the source and purpose of the funds are ongoing, according to the EFCC.
