A Nigerian man, Agudosi Christopher Okechukwu, has been sentenced to six months in prison for failing to declare large sums of foreign currency while attempting to travel through Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, presided over by Justice Yellim Bogoro, delivered the ruling on Friday, May 2, 2025. Okechukwu was convicted for violating Nigeria’s anti-money laundering laws by not declaring the full amount of foreign currency in his possession.
He was found with £8,020 (Eight Thousand and Twenty Pounds Sterling) and $704 (Seven Hundred and Four United States Dollars) which he did not disclose to customs officers as required by law.
Okechukwu’s trouble began on December 10, 2024, when operatives of the Nigerian Customs Service at the Lagos airport intercepted him during a routine check. While he admitted to carrying £7,000 (Seven Thousand Pounds), further scrutiny revealed that he had an additional £8,020 and $704 hidden from authorities.
Upon discovering the undeclared amounts, customs officials handed him over to the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) based in Ikoyi for further investigation and prosecution.
Following weeks of investigations, Okechukwu was arraigned before the court on April 15, 2025, where he faced a two-count charge relating to non-declaration of funds and attempted concealment, which fall under offences stated in the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.
The prosecution, led by EFCC counsel C.C. Okezie, laid out the facts of the case before the court after Okechukwu pleaded guilty. A key EFCC witness, Abubakar Magaji, detailed the events leading to Okechukwu’s arrest. Magaji told the court that although the total amount of foreign currency found with the accused was £15,020 and $704, only £7,000 was formally declared to customs authorities.
The remaining £8,020 and $704 were not declared, and Okechukwu reportedly told investigators that he had lost his brother and intended to use the funds to bring the corpse back to Nigeria. The prosecution did not challenge the reason provided but emphasized that the law mandates full disclosure of all foreign currency being transported across borders.
Under Nigerian law, individuals travelling in or out of the country are required to declare any cash or negotiable instruments exceeding $10,000 or its equivalent in other currencies. This regulation is part of global efforts to combat money laundering, terrorism financing, and other illicit financial flows.
Justice Bogoro, after listening to the prosecution’s review of the facts and considering Okechukwu’s guilty plea, sentenced him to six months imprisonment on each of the two counts. However, the court also gave the convict an option of a fine — N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) per count — in lieu of the prison term.
In addition to the sentence, the court ordered the forfeiture of the undeclared sums — £8,020 and $704 — to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The sentencing sends another strong signal about the government’s resolve to enforce anti-money laundering regulations and maintain transparency in cross-border financial movements. Over the years, Nigerian authorities have tightened controls at airports and borders to track and seize suspicious cash movements, especially given the country’s battle with corruption and illicit financial outflows.
The EFCC has continued to warn the public that ignorance of the law or emotional circumstances — such as the one cited by Okechukwu — do not excuse non-compliance with financial disclosure rules.
Nigeria has been under increasing pressure, both domestically and internationally, to stem the tide of undeclared financial transfers that are believed to be linked to a range of criminal activities, including fraud, drug trafficking, and terrorism.
According to previous reports by the EFCC, the Lagos airport remains a hotspot for attempted smuggling of undeclared cash. The agency has repeatedly called for better public education on the financial disclosure laws to avoid situations where otherwise law-abiding citizens run afoul of the law due to lack of knowledge.
This case adds to the growing list of prosecutions involving individuals trying to bypass the declaration requirements. Similar incidents in the past have involved both Nigerians and foreign nationals attempting to move large sums of money in or out of the country without alerting customs officers.
Legal analysts say that while the law may appear strict, its role is essential in preserving the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system and meeting global standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an inter-governmental body focused on developing policies to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
As Nigeria continues to seek foreign investment and improve its reputation in global financial markets, strict adherence to such financial regulations is seen as a vital part of economic reform.
The conviction of Okechukwu is a reminder to all travellers that non-disclosure, whether partial or total, is a criminal offence that carries significant penalties, including jail terms, fines, and forfeiture of funds.
Although the court offered the option of a fine in this case, the forfeiture of over £8,000 and $700 represents a significant loss for the convict, and potentially serves as a deterrent to others.
Airport authorities and the EFCC have restated their commitment to close monitoring of cash movements and warn that all future cases will be treated with the same seriousness — regardless of the amount or personal circumstance.
Meanwhile, legal experts have advised travellers to always ask questions and consult with airport customs officials if they are unsure about what qualifies as a reportable amount, especially when dealing with foreign currencies.
As global money laundering efforts intensify, countries like Nigeria are required to show clear enforcement of their laws. Failure to do so could lead to sanctions, restrictions on international financial transactions, and reputational damage.
