The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted $1.15m and SR135,900 undeclared foreign currency at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).
The seizure was made during a routine baggage check on an inbound passenger, Hauwa Ibrahim Abdullahi, who arrived on Saudi Airline Flight No. SV401 from Saudi Arabia.
During the physical examination of the passenger’s luggage conducted by NCS Officers, the undeclared currency was discovered concealed within palm-date fruit packs locally referred to as Dabino.
The NCS National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this on Thursday.
The suspect and the seized foreign currencies were handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.
After the investigation, the court convicted the defendant as charged and ordered the forfeiture of the undeclared money to the Federal Government per the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.
The Service reiterated that all travelers must comply with Nigeria’s financial regulations, particularly the legal requirement to declare any cash or negotiable instruments exceeding the approved threshold when traveling in or out of the country.
The Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022 and the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1995, provide clear guidelines on currency declaration. Non-compliance with these regulations constitutes a violation of Nigerian law and attracts severe penalties.
The Service, therefore, urged the public to adhere strictly to these requirements to avoid legal consequences.
