The Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS), on Tuesday evening said it had arrested a passenger with $ 1, 909,140 which he concealed in his luggage without declaring it to customs officials at the currency desk on arrival into the country .
His non declaration of the exact amount he came into the country with is gross violation of extant regulations as it affects the movement of large sums of foreign currency into Nigeria.
Speaking on the matter, Thelma Williams, public relations officer of the command, identified the passenger as one Ani Paulinus Onyeka, who came into the country aboard ASKY Airlines flight from Congo Democratic Republic .
She said the passenger did not declare the exact amount he concealed in his luggage, which was discovered after physical examination by customs personnel at the baggage hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
According to her, “ During the inward clearance of ASKY flight No KP 041 from Congo Democratic Republic on February 9, 2014. About 12:30hrs; one Ani Paulinus Onyeka with Nigeria Passport No A00923933, upon normal routine examination, his luggage was found to contain the sum $1,620,000 carefully concealed.
“On physical counting of the money, it was discovered to be $1,909,140 as against $1,620,000 earlier discovered when the passenger was apprehended .
She said the ‘passenger and the said currency have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives for further investigation.”