The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) has commenced an investigation into two travellers caught with undeclared foreign currencies amounting to over $6,000 and £53,000 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Terminal 2, in Lagos.
This was revealed in a statement shared on the agency’s verified X handle on Saturday.
Operatives from the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, based in Ikoyi, identified the suspects as Mamud Nasidi and Yahaya Nasidi.
According to the anti-graft agency, the suspects were apprehended by personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria during a routine check on Saturday.
Earlier, Sunday Wizopa had confirmed from inner reports that the suspects, who attempted to board an Aero Contractors aircraft with an undeclared cash sum exceeding $6.1m, were intercepted and arrested at the foot of the aircraft.
They claimed to be security officials travelling with a suspect and the money as exhibits.
However, the EFCC, in its statement, disclosed that the duo, who arrived in Nigeria from Dubai via Addis Ababa and were en route to Abuja, allegedly failed to declare the amounts of $6,180 and £53,415 in their possession as required by law.
After their arrest, they were first handed over to the Department of State Services before being transferred to the EFCC for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The EFCC also confirmed the seizure of three mobile phones found with the suspects at the time of their arrest.
The suspects and the confiscated items were formally received by CSE Margaret Lamai on behalf of the acting Zonal Director, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Ahmed Ghali.
The EFCC in its statement said, “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.”
