The {Economic} and {Financial} Crimes Fee (EFCC) has commenced an investigation into Duru Ikechukwu Damian, who was intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for allegedly failing to declare a big sum of international foreign money at Murtala Muhammed Worldwide Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
Damian, scheduled to journey to Dubai on an Emirates Airways flight, initially claimed he had solely $10,000 in his possession. A subsequent search, nevertheless, uncovered a further $49,000, bringing the entire to $59,000, which he had not declared as required beneath Nigerian foreign money laws.
The arrest occurred on Monday, August 11, 2025, on the AML/CFT Foreign money Declaration Desk throughout a routine verify by the NCS, in accordance with an announcement on the EFCC’s official X account. The next day, Tuesday, August 12, 2025, Damian was handed over to the EFCC for additional investigation.
“Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the {Economic} and {Financial} Crimes Fee, EFCC, have commenced investigation of 1 Duru Ikechukwu Damian arrested by the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, for allegedly failing to declare the sum of $59,000( Fifty 9 Thousand United States {Dollars}),” the assertion learn partly.
It added, “Upon his arrest, the suspect, who was scheduled to journey on Emirates Airline to Dubai, claimed he had solely $10,000( Ten Thousand {Dollars}) on him. Nonetheless, when a search was performed on him, a sum of $49,000 was found undeclared, totalling $59,000. “
Extra insights
On the handover, E. I. Harrison, the Space Comptroller of the NCS on the airport, defined that the company has been actively educating vacationers on the significance of declaring foreign exchange.
He famous that bulletins are made at common intervals all through the airport, and digital signages additionally show reminders in regards to the guidelines. Regardless of these efforts, some vacationers proceed to disregard the laws, prompting enforcement actions like Damian’s arrest.
Vacationers are allowed to hold as much as $10,000 with out declaring it. Any quantity above this must be declared to customs officers, which is why Damian’s undeclared $49,000 triggered the EFCC investigation.
