The Nigerian Customs Service has announced the arrest of a man, Mr Ikebude Akoma at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport with $456,000 during the outward clearance of passengers of Qatar Airways flight to China via Doha.
Speaking on the arrest, the Public Relations Officer of the Airport Command of Nigerian Customs Service which made the arrest, Mrs Thelma Williams said the passenger was placed under arrest for inability to be able to explain to the Customs authorities the source of the foreign currency without either bureau de change or bank slip which was proper documentation of the currency.
Mrs Williams went on to state that the passenger whose passport number is A04073478 was arrested at the ‘E’ wing section of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport screening hall from where he was arrested and interrogated before being handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“During the outward clearance of Qatar Airways flight to China via Doha, our officials reported that one passenger identified as Ikebude Akome with passport number A04073478 declared $456,000 at E Wing screening hall of the Lagos Airport.
“On further investigation, we discovered that he had no proper document such as bureau de change or bank slip,” she added.
The EFCC would now further investigate and take necessary action as offences of money laundering fall under their purview.