On March 7, 2025, a Federal High Court sitting in Kano convicted a woman, Hauwa Abdullahi Ibrahim, for attempting to smuggle over $1 million and significant amounts of Saudi Riyals into Nigeria without declaring the funds to the authorities. The conviction was secured by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kano Zonal Directorate, following Ibrahim’s arrest at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
Ibrahim was found guilty on two counts of money laundering after failing to declare the sum of $1,154,900 (over one million US dollars) and 135,900 Saudi Riyals (SDR), in violation of Nigerian law. According to the EFCC, the woman had arrived in Nigeria from Saudi Arabia with the undeclared foreign currency, which was confiscated by the Nigeria Customs Service officers upon her arrival.
In Nigeria, individuals entering the country with foreign currencies above a certain threshold are required by law to declare the amount to customs officials. Ibrahim, however, failed to make the necessary declaration, leading to her arrest. After her detention by the Customs Service, she was handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.
Ibrahim, who pleaded guilty to the charges, was arraigned before Justice S. M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court in Kano. During the trial, her defense counsel, Musa Isah, presented the facts of the case, which included the confiscation of the undeclared funds. After hearing the case, the prosecution requested the court to convict Ibrahim.
Justice Shuaibu, while acknowledging the defendant’s guilty plea, allowed her to give an allocutus – a final statement where the convict can ask for leniency before the court’s decision is made. In her allocutus, Ibrahim told the court that she had been deceived by an individual named Nafiu in Saudi Arabia. According to her statement, Nafiu had asked her to transport a box from Saudi Arabia to Nigeria. She claimed that when she asked about the contents of the box, Nafiu assured her it contained only dates and a small amount of cash. Trusting Nafiu’s words, Ibrahim agreed to take the box.
Upon her arrival at Kano International Airport, Ibrahim said she called a number provided by Nafiu and handed over the box to a woman waiting for it at the airport. However, shortly after leaving the airport, she was asked to return by customs officers to clarify the situation. When she returned with her passport, the contents of the box were revealed to be the undeclared foreign currency, leading to her arrest.
Ibrahim pleaded with the court to show mercy, claiming she was unaware of the true contents of the box and had been tricked by Nafiu. Despite her plea for leniency, Justice Shuaibu convicted her on both counts of money laundering and ordered the confiscated money to be forfeited to the Federal Government, in accordance with the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.
The act, which was designed to combat the illicit movement of money and curb financial crimes, mandates that anyone caught smuggling undeclared foreign currencies into the country faces severe legal consequences. The money Ibrahim attempted to smuggle will now be handed over to the Federal Government, ensuring it cannot be used for illegal purposes.
The conviction sends a strong message to those involved in money laundering activities and highlights the government’s commitment to curbing such crimes. The EFCC, in its statement, praised the efforts of the Nigeria Customs Service and the court for their roles in bringing Ibrahim to justice.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of complying with Nigeria’s strict customs regulations, especially regarding the declaration of foreign currency. Those found guilty of attempting to smuggle undeclared currencies face serious consequences, including hefty fines and imprisonment, as was seen in this case.
In recent years, the Nigerian government has been increasingly focused on tackling financial crimes and improving its legal framework to fight money laundering. The EFCC has been at the forefront of these efforts, securing numerous convictions related to corruption, fraud, and money laundering.
This case also highlights the importance of vigilance by customs officers and other border authorities in preventing the illegal movement of money into the country. Customs and border officials continue to work closely with agencies like the EFCC to ensure that individuals and groups involved in financial crimes are caught and brought to justice.
While Ibrahim’s conviction may serve as a deterrent to others attempting to bypass Nigeria’s money laundering laws, it also raises questions about the level of awareness surrounding customs regulations. Ibrahim’s defense claim that she was misled by Nafiu suggests that some individuals might be unknowingly involved in illegal activities, though the law holds individuals accountable regardless of their knowledge or intentions.
In a broader context, the case also underscores the importance of international cooperation in combating financial crimes. As global financial systems become more interconnected, criminals often seek ways to move illicit funds across borders. Nigeria’s legal system and law enforcement agencies have made significant strides in addressing these challenges, but much work remains to be done.
