The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned one Christopher Okechukwu before Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, for failing to declare foreign currency amounting to £8,020 and $704 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.
The defendant was arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in December 2024 while attempting to travel with undeclared cash. Following his arrest, Okechukwu was handed over to the EFCC for further investigation.
The EFCC charged him on a two-count count bordering on money laundering.
One of the charges stated that Okechukwu, on December 10, 2024, failed to declare the sum of £8,020 to the NCS at the airport, an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The count reads: “That you , Agudosi Christopher Okechukwu, on the 10th day of December, 2024 in Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court , failed to make a declaration of the sum of £8,020 to the Nigeria Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Okechukwu, however, pleaded guilty to the charges.
The defendant had initially declared only £7,000 but did not disclose the additional £8,020 and $704 in his possession, according to EFCC operative Abubakar Magaji, who presented the case’s facts to the court.
Magaji stated that Okechukwu claimed he forgot to declare the additional cash because he was distressed, having recently lost his brother.
“His statement was recorded under caution. He stated that he was arrested at the MMIA Airport with a total sum of £15,020 and $704. He also stated that he declared £7000 and forgot to declare the sums of £8020 and $704 on him,” Magaji said.
“He said he did not make the declaration because he claimed to have suffered a loss and was going to bring back the corpse of his brother.
“He submitted the death certificate of his brother, his brother’s pictures, and other documents.”
The defendant reportedly submitted documents, including a death certificate and photographs, to support his explanation.
Magaji said he identified the defendant’s statement, the handing-over note from the NCS, the arresting officer’s statement, and the sum of £8020, and $704 to the EFCC.
The prosecution counsel then sought to tender, in evidence, all the documents.
Justice Bogoro admitted and marked them as exhibits P1-P11.
The Judge adjourned the case till May 2, 2025, for judgement and ordered that the defendant be remanded in a Correctional Centre.
