A Federal High Court in Lagos has detained a Sierra Leonean national, Alhaji Ahmed Shaw for alleged non-declaration of $90,000 to the Nigerian Customs Service.
During the court session held on Thursday, Justice Deinde Dipeolu ordered the remand of Shaw in the custody of the Nigerian Customs Service. This followed his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
EFCC’s prosecution counsel, Chinenye Okezie disclosed that Shaw committed the crime at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in the Ikeja area of Lagos.
Additionally, the commission in one count alleged that the defendant failed to declare the sum of $90,000 during inward clearance of Sierra Leone-bound travelers.
The misdemeanors committed by Shaws, according to Okezie, violated Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.
On the other hand, Sierra Leonean pleaded not guilty to the allegations of money laundering brought against him. Similarly, his counsel, Victor Chinedu notified the court that Shaw was unprepared for the trial as he had only just been served with the charge.
As a result, Justice Dipeolu suspended the trial till 15 April 2025, with orders that Shaw remain in the custody of the NCS.
Man Jailed in Lagos for Not Declaring $30,000 at Airport
Meanwhile, Justice Dipeolu earlier on Wednesday, convicted and sentenced Okunfulure Steve to three months imprisonment for money laundering.
The operatives of NCS also arrested the convict at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport on 28 March 2025. This arrest was on the allegations of false currency declaration of the sum of $30,000.
Following his arrest, the NCS transferred him to the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC in Ikoyi for further investigation. On Wednesday, the EFCC arraigned before the court on one count bordering on money laundering.
When Steve heard the charge brought up against him, he pleaded not guilty. However, the Judge found him guilty following the evidence tendered by the prosecution counsel, C.C. Okezie.
Consequently, Justice Dipeolu ordered Steve to forfeit the money to the federal government while sentencing Steve to three months imprisonment effective from 28 March 2025.
