EFCC Launches Investigation into Suspect for Failing to Declare $14,567, £1,030

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into a case involving an individual named Phil-Olumba Ifunaya Sheila who was apprehended by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos for failing to declare large sums of foreign currency. The suspect had $14,567, £1030, and CA$40 in her possession, which she had not declared. She initially claimed to have only $4,000 with her.

In a separate incident, the EFCC is also investigating a parcel containing an enormous amount of Zimbabwean dollars, equivalent to ₦426,091,066,068.06 (One Hundred and One Trillion Zimbabwean Dollars), and 41,640,000 VND (Forty-one Million Six Hundred and Forty Thousand Vietnamese Dong), equivalent to ₦95,746.52. The parcel was intercepted by a joint operation of the NCS and NIPOST (Nigerian Postal Service) officials. The NCS Area Comptroller, E.J. Harrison, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in preventing the entry of illicit funds into the country.

Upon receiving the suspect and the intercepted parcel, an EFCC operative, M.A. Timta, assured the NCS of the commission's commitment to thoroughly investigate and, if necessary, prosecute the case. This incident underscores the ongoing efforts of Nigerian law enforcement agencies to combat money laundering and other financial crimes.