EFCC Speaks on Next Action After Finding Undeclared Dollars at Airport, Actual Amount Mentioned
- The EFCC commenced investigation into a suspected currency declaration violation involving $59,000 at Lagos Airport
- Duru Ikechukwu Damian was intercepted by Nigeria Customs while attempting to travel to Dubai with undeclared cash
- Authorities said the suspect initially claimed to possess only $10,000, but a search revealed an additional $49,000 concealed
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into Duru Ikechukwu Damian, who was arrested by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for allegedly failing to declare $59,000 at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
According to officials, Damian was intercepted by NCS operatives during a routine check at the Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Currency Declaration Desk on Monday, 11 August 2025.
He was scheduled to board an Emirates Airline flight to Dubai when he reportedly claimed to be carrying only $10,000.
Source: Facebook
However, a subsequent search revealed an additional $49,000 in undeclared cash, bringing the total to $59,000. The suspect was promptly handed over to the EFCC for further investigation.
Customs service reiterates currency declaration protocols
During the handover on Tuesday, 12 August 2025, E. I. Harrison, Area Comptroller of the NCS at the airport, emphasised the agency’s ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with currency declaration laws.
“Today, we are having a process that we have been doing over a period of time now. When we intercept currencies, we do the needful of handing over to the appropriate agencies of government,” Harrison stated.
He added that the NCS had conducted sensitisation campaigns and made public announcements to educate travellers on the importance of declaring currencies.
“Presently, at the airport, announcements are being made, at intervals, on the need for travellers to declare their currencies or equivalents. Also, the electronic signages in the halls display these messages. Yet, at intervals, we also have people who fail to adhere to the extant laws and regulations,” he said.
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EFCC vows to enforce anti-money laundering laws
Receiving the suspect, assistant commander of the EFCC, ACE1 Ahmed Ghali, who serves as the acting zonal director of Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to enforcing anti-money laundering regulations.
“We are here to take over one of the recalcitrant Nigerians who do not want to abide with the law in relation to money laundering. But we will not relent in enforcing the law. All that we are saying is that laws are meant to be obeyed.
"So, we will always do our best, in line with our mandate, to ensure that any individual who violates the law does not go scot‑free,” Ghali said.
The EFCC has confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that appropriate legal action will be taken in accordance with Nigeria’s financial regulations.
Source: Twitter
Ex-EFCC chairman, Magu, makes demands from youths
Legit.ng earlier reported that Ibrahim Magu, the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) called on Nigerian youths to champion the move of breaking the cycle of corruption in the country.
The former EFCC boss made the call while speaking at the gala night of the National Industrial Manpower Summit 2025, which was held at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, on Wednesday, August 13.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
