EFCC probes suspect over undeclared $14,567, £1,030, CA$40

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….Investigates Parcel containing ZW$101tn, VND 41.6m

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched investigations into a suspect, Phil-Olumba Ifunaya Sheila, for allegedly failing to declare foreign currencies totaling $14,567, £1,030, and CA$40 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

Sheila who was arrested on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) during a routine check while she was attempting to board a flight to the United Kingdom. Upon interrogation, claimed she was carrying only $4,000, significantly less than the undeclared amounts later discovered.

The EFCC, through its Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, has taken custody of the suspect and commenced a full investigation into the matter.

In a related operation, the Commission is also investigating a suspicious parcel intercepted by officials of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) and NCS. The parcel contained ZW$101 trillion (One Hundred and One Trillion Zimbabwean Dollars), valued at approximately ₦426 billion, and 41.64 million Vietnamese Dong (VND), equivalent to ₦95,746.52.

During the official handover at the Lagos Airport, Area Comptroller of the NCS, E.J. Harrison, stated that both interceptions—one from the airport and the other from the postal system—were the result of routine monitoring and vigilance by officers of both agencies.

“In fact, it was the vigilance and dedication of our officers and NIPOST’s officials that led to the discovery of someone trying to bring in a load of currencies into Nigeria,” Harrison said. “It is our responsibility to ensure that such doesn’t happen.”

Receiving the suspect and the intercepted currencies, EFCC operative M.A. Timta, who represented the Acting Zonal Director, Ahmed Ghali, assured the Customs Service of swift investigation and possible prosecution. He also commended the Customs and NIPOST teams for their commitment to combating financial crimes in Nigeria.