Authorities from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have received the seized counterfeit $10,000 from the Nigeria Customs Service, according to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command.
As per the statement released on Saturday by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Juliana Tomo, a 41-year-old suspect named Ifeanachor Ugbor was taken into custody in relation to the seizure.
She said that the suspect had broken Nigeria’s Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act by traveling to Brazil.
Less than two months after Charles Orbih, the new Customs Area Controller, was redeployed from Abia/Imo Area Command to MMIA, according to Tomo, the command made this seizure.
“Taking into account the money laundering offenses covered by provision 15 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (As Amended) Act No 11, 2011 and Act No 1, 2012, a passenger violated a portion of this provision within our jurisdiction.
“It is suspected that this passenger, Ifeanacho Ugbor, a 41-year-old Nigerian from Enugu State, violated the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act of Nigeria. He was scheduled to depart from Murtala Muhammad International Airport with Ethiopian Airline (flight ET900) to Brazil on Friday, November 10, 2023,” the statement read.
The suspect was held for additional investigation and prohibited from traveling, according to the spokeswoman.
The statement said, “Our officers took a step further to examine the currency in line with section 66 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, and the officers discovered that the sum of $10,000 was all counterfeit.” The suspect stated $10,000 on our currency declaration form.
Orbih, the commanding Customs Area Controller, stated that the officers’ vigilance was the reason for the success.
“This command has eagle eyes officers who are ready to work around the clock, seven days a week, combating all customs-related crimes and bringing the offenders to light,” he continued.
“To the EFCC, the suspect, a valid Nigerian Standard Passport No. B00033052, two phones, and his baggage, we hereby hand over the sum of $10,000 counterfeit currency for further necessary action,” he said in closing.