Customs hand over seized foreign currency to EFCC in Ogun

The Controller of Ogun I Area Command, Nigeria Customs Service, Idiroko, Mohammed Shuaibu, on Tuesday, handed over a seized sum of 7,000,000 CFA amounting to N17,692,105 to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Speaking during the handover held at the Idiroko Command of the NCS, Shuaibu said that the feat attested to the renewed onslaught of the Customs operatives in the state to deal a decisive blow to every criminal move aimed at hurting the country’s economy or its security.

He explained that his officers had, on March 2, discovered the bag containing the foreign currency while conducting a search on the passengers travelling from Nigeria to Benin Republic

Shuaibu said, “On the 20th of March, 2025, our officers on duty at the outward baggage hall, while conducting a passenger bag en route Nigeria to Benin Republic, a bag suspected to be carrying unlawful content was spotted.

“On thorough examination, it was discovered to contain a new mint foreign currency note. Our officers conducted a search on the bag in line with the provision of Section 6 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and discovered the bag to be containing foreign currency, 7,000,000 CFA.

“It might interest you to know that failure to declare cash amounting to the seized currency runs contrary to the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1995.”

He disclosed further that, having recognised the critical role the EFCC played in enforcing laws related to money laundering, terrorism financing, and other financial crimes in the country, the Ogun I Area Command, on behalf of Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, invites the leadership of the EFCC for the handing over of the seized currency.

The customs boss stated that the handing over of the seized currency is to foster interagency collaboration between Nigeria Customs Service, EFCC, and other sister agencies in line with the policy thrust of the leadership of NCS.

Shuaibu has, however, vowed a relentless crackdown on people who are hellbent on criminal pursuit around the country’s border, saying that it is either they turn a new leaf or have the law to contend with.

He insisted that the command under his leadership remained committed to the strict implementation of the federal government’s fiscal policies and the existing laws that govern the day-to-day operation of the service at the international corridor.

The customs boss advised the border communities to discourage and desist from any unscrupulous act of smuggling activities.

Shuaibu reiterated that the current Customs administration under the leadership of CCG, Adewale Adeniyi, and his management team have zero tolerance for revenue leakages and violations of economic and fiscal policy measures in all their ramifications and that his officers at the command are committed to enforcing the same.

Receiving the seized foreign currency, EFCC’s Head of Investigation, Lagos Zone 2, Moses Oguzi, assured that his agency will be conducting a thorough forensic investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding this interception and ensure that due process is followed.

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Oguzi said, “Let this serve as a reminder that no effort will be spared in holding accountable those who seek to undermine the integrity of our financial systems.”

He commended the Ogun 1 Area Command of the NCS for their vigilance and commitment towards safeguarding the nation’s borders, stressing that their dedication has again ensured that illicit financial activities do not go unchecked.