The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced the investigation of one Okorie Sunday for alleged $578,000 cash smuggling.
The suspect was arrested at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, by men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
The EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, confirmed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.
He said the suspect would be charged to court at the end of the investigation.
Oyewale added that Effiong Harrison, Area Comptroller of Customs at the airport, handed the suspect over to the EFCC on Friday for false currency declaration.
He said Sunday arrived from Johannesburg, South Africa, on Wednesday and declared $279,000 at the Currency Declaration Desk upon entry into the country.
However, Customs officials discovered an additional $299,000 concealed in separate packages, bringing the total undeclared amount to $578,000
“Further inspection revealed the suspect also hid €100 and a counterfeit $250 note, further aggravating the breach of currency declaration laws.
“Harrison condemned the act, citing that it violates the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011, which mandates declaring sums above $10,000 or equivalent upon entry or exit,” the statement read.