Sierra Leonean National Remanded For Failing To Declare $90,000 At Lagos Airport

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Thursday remanded a Sierra Leonean national, Alhaji Ahmed Shaw, who is standing trial for allegedly failing to declare the sum of $90,000 to the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

Justice Deinde Dipeolu ordered Shaw’s remand in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) following his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The one-count charge alleged that the defendant failed to declare the sum of $90,000 during the inward clearance of Sierra Leone-bound travelers.

EFCC counsel, Okezie Chineye, told the court that the defendant committed the offence at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

She added that the offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.

Shaw pleaded not guilty.

Defence counsel, Victor Chinedu, informed the court that Shaw had only just been served with the charge and was thus unprepared for trial.

Justice Dipeolu adjourned the trial to April 15 and ordered the defendant’s remand in NCS custody.