“Despite frequent announcements and electronic reminders, some travelers continue to flout currency declaration rules.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into Mr. Duru Ikechukwu Damian, intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for allegedly failing to declare $59,000 at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
Damian, scheduled to travel to Dubai on an Emirates Airlines flight, initially declared $10,000. However, a search uncovered an additional $49,000, bringing the total to $59,000, in breach of Nigerian currency regulations.
The arrest took place on August 11 during a routine check at the AML/CFT Currency Declaration Desk. The NCS handed Damian over to the EFCC the following day for further investigation.
EFCC’s ACE1 Ahmed Ghali vowed strict enforcement of anti-money laundering laws, warning that violators will face consequences. NCS Area Comptroller E. I. Harrison said travelers are regularly reminded to declare amounts above $10,000, but some still flout the rules, prompting enforcement actions like this.