The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into the interception of foreign currencies worth millions at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
The currencies, comprising $73,000, £15,957 and 827,800 Saudi Riyals, were intercepted by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) during routine screening of arriving passengers and luggage between August 8 and 12.
The Acting Customs Area Comptroller for the Kano/Jigawa Command, U.U. Adamu, disclosed this in a statement issued by the EFCC on Monday.
According to him, Customs officers first intercepted an unaccompanied piece of luggage transported on a Saudi Air flight on August 8. A search of the luggage led to the discovery of 827,800 Saudi Riyals and $53,300 allegedly concealed inside footwear.
Four days later, Customs officers intercepted another luggage belonging to one Haruna Yusuf, who arrived in Kano aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET941.
Adamu said a secondary examination of the luggage, aided by non-intrusive inspection technology, uncovered $20,000 and £15,957 concealed inside sports shoes.
Following the interceptions, Yusuf and the recovered currencies were handed over to the EFCC for further investigation.
However, the statement did not clearly establish whether Yusuf was connected to or owned the unaccompanied luggage containing the 827,800 Saudi Riyals and $53,300.
Adamu said the discoveries reflected the vigilance of Customs officers in checking the cross-border movement of undeclared foreign currencies.
He added that the Nigeria Customs Service would continue to strengthen its collaboration with the EFCC and other relevant security agencies in the fight against money laundering and other financial crimes.
Receiving the suspect and exhibits on behalf of the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC Kano Directorate, Friday Ebelo, said the failure to declare large sums of money violated provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Ebelo urged travellers carrying significant amounts of local or foreign currency to comply with declaration requirements, stressing that there is no penalty for declaring legitimately obtained funds.
He noted, however, that questions could arise over the source and purpose of funds that are moved across borders without proper declaration.
The EFCC assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted and that those found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
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