EFCC Probes Man Caught With $578,000 at Lagos Airport

Following his arrest, the NCS handed Sunday over to the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 on March 21, 2025. During the handover, NCS official Harrison stated that the suspect had violated the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011, which mandates travelers to declare any amount exceeding $10,000 upon entering or leaving the country.

Lagos, Nigeria – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into a man, Okorie Sunday, who was apprehended by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, for false currency declaration.

Sunday, who arrived from Johannesburg, South Africa, on March 19, 2025, initially declared $279,000 at the Currency Declaration Desk. However, further inspection by customs officials uncovered an additional $299,000 concealed in various packages, bringing the total to $578,000. Authorities also found €100 and a counterfeit $250 among his belongings.

Following his arrest, the NCS handed Sunday over to the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 on March 21, 2025. During the handover, NCS official Harrison stated that the suspect had violated the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011, which mandates travelers to declare any amount exceeding $10,000 upon entering or leaving the country.

Speaking at the event, the acting Zonal Director of EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Ahmed Ghali, commended the collaboration between both agencies. He stressed the importance of transparency in currency declarations, warning that false or non-disclosure of funds could severely undermine Nigeria’s financial integrity.

“We are here today to take over a passenger arriving from South Africa who failed to truthfully declare the cash he was carrying. The public must be cautious and ensure full compliance with the law. Declaring any amount above $10,000 is a legal requirement under Nigeria’s money laundering regulations,” Ghali stated.

He further emphasized that financial crimes such as this could expose the nation to risks, including money laundering, and damage its global reputation. He assured that the EFCC would continue working closely with other agencies to safeguard Nigeria’s financial system and economic stability.