The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted undeclared foreign currency totalling $1,154,900 and 135,900 Saudi Riyals at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).
The money was found hidden inside packs of palm dates in the luggage of Hauwa Ibrahim Abdullahi, who arrived from Saudi Arabia on Saudi Airline Flight SV401.
In a statement on Thursday, NCS spokesperson Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada confirmed the seizure.
“During a physical examination of the passenger’s luggage, our officers discovered the undeclared cash concealed within packs of palm-date fruit, locally known as dabino”, he said.
According to him, the suspect and the confiscated funds were handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.
In line with established procedures, the suspect and the seized foreign currency have been handed over to the EFCC for necessary legal action, he said
The court convicted the defendant as charged and ordered the forfeiture of the undeclared money in line with the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022,” Maiwada added.
Nigeria’s financial regulations require travelers to declare cash or negotiable instruments exceeding approved thresholds when entering or leaving the country. Failure to do so is a violation of the law and carries legal consequences.
“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”, Maiwada stated.
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