The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned one Agudosi Christopher Okechukwu before Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over allegations of failing to declare foreign currency in his possession at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.
According to a statement by the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Okechukwu was arraigned on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, on a two-count charge related to money laundering.
He was reportedly arrested in December 2024 by Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officials at the Lagos airport for not declaring a total of £8,020 and $704. The NCS subsequently handed him over to the EFCC for further investigation.
The charge read in court stated that the defendant failed to declare the said foreign currencies to Customs officials, an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Okechukwu pleaded guilty to the charges. Following his plea, EFCC operative Abubakar Magaji was called to present the facts of the case. He told the court that the defendant had only declared £7,000 at the airport, but further investigation revealed he had an additional £8,020 and $704 in his possession.
Magaji explained that during interrogation, Okechukwu claimed he forgot to declare the remaining money because he had suffered a personal loss and was travelling to retrieve the body of his deceased brother. Supporting documents, including a death certificate and photographs, were submitted to the court.
The EFCC presented various pieces of evidence including the defendant’s statement, the NCS handing-over note, the arresting officer’s report, and the seized currency. Justice Bogoro admitted all items as Exhibits P1 to P11.
The judge subsequently adjourned the case to May 2, 2025, for judgment and ordered that the defendant be remanded at a correctional facility.
