The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has commenced investigation into a suspect arrested with $265,000 in undeclared foreign currency at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano State.
The suspect, identified as Adam Musa Adam, was arrested after arriving in Nigeria from New Delhi aboard Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET941.
He was intercepted on September 26, 2026, during routine screening by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
His luggage was subjected to secondary examination using Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology, leading to the discovery of the undeclared currency concealed among his personal belongings.
EFCC Receives Suspect From Nigeria Customs
The Nigeria Customs Service subsequently handed over Adam and the recovered currency to the EFCC for further investigation.
While handing over the suspect and exhibits, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Usman Umar Adamu, said the movement of foreign currency above the approved threshold without declaration contravenes Sections 3 and 4 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
He also cited relevant provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
According to him, the interception and handover were carried out in line with the statutory responsibilities of the Customs Service.
The Customs Area Controller disclosed that the Kano Command had intercepted undeclared foreign currency and other negotiable instruments valued at more than N2.5 billion from January 2026 to date.
He said the development demonstrated the importance of enforcing regulations governing the movement of foreign currency across Nigeria’s borders.
The suspect and the recovered $265,000 were subsequently transferred to the EFCC for investigation.
Receiving the suspect and exhibits on behalf of the Commission, the Kano Acting Zonal Director, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE1 Friday S. Ebelo, described the handover as an example of interagency cooperation.
Ebelo said the collaboration demonstrated the commitment of relevant agencies to tackling illicit financial flows and protecting Nigeria’s financial system.
He stated that the EFCC would conduct its investigation in accordance with its mandate and, where appropriate, prosecute the case to its conclusion.
The EFCC official also commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its cooperation and vigilance at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
EFCC Commends Customs for Cross-Border Currency Enforcement
Ebelo expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for supporting continued collaboration between the two agencies.
He also commended the Customs officers involved in the interception for their vigilance and enforcement of regulations governing the cross-border movement of currency.
The EFCC further thanked the Comptroller-General for what it described as a sustained partnership between the two agencies.
The investigation into the $265,000 currency seizure is expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the undeclared funds and any potential violations of Nigeria’s financial laws.
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