The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned one Agudosi Christopher Okechukwu before Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, for allegedly failing to declare foreign currency in his possession at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.
According to a statement on Wednesday, by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, the defendant was arraigned on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, on a two-count charge bordering on money laundering.
“The Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, arraigned one Agudosi Christopher Okechukwu for alleged non-declaration of the sums of £8,020 (Eight Thousand and Twenty Pounds Sterling) and $704 (Seven Hundred and Four United States Dollars) before Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos,” the statement partly read.
The EFCC explained that Agudosi was apprehended in December 2024 by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service at the airport and was later transferred to the EFCC for further investigation.
“The defendant was arrested in December 2024 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, for non-declaration to the tune of £8,020 and $704 and was subsequently handed over to the EFCC for further investigations.”
The charge read in court stated: “That you, Agudosi Christopher Okechukwu, on the 10th day of December, 2024 in Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, failed to make a declaration of the sum of £8,020 (Eight Thousand and Twenty Pounds Sterling) to the Nigeria Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
According to the statement, Okechukwu pleaded guilty to the charges. Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, C.C. Okezie, called EFCC operative Abubakar Magaji to review the facts of the case.
Magaji testified, saying, “The NCS handed over the defendant to the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, Okotie Eboh, Ikoyi, Lagos for further investigation after he was arrested with the sum of £8,020 and $704.”
He further told the court that the defendant’s statement was taken under caution and that Agudosi had declared only £7,000 but failed to declare the remaining £8,020 and $704.
“He further told the court that his statement was recorded under caution. He stated that he was arrested at the MMIA Airport with a total sum of £15,020 and $704. He also stated that he declared £7,000 and forgot to declare the sums of £8,020 and $704 on him.
“He said he did not make the declaration because he claimed to have suffered a loss and was going to bring back the corpse of his brother. He submitted the death certificate of his brother, his brother’s pictures and other documents”, the statement added.
Magaji identified and submitted various items as evidence, including the defendant’s statement, the handing-over note from NCS, the arresting officer’s report, and the currencies involved.
“Thereafter, Magaji identified the defendant’s statement, the handing-over note from the NCS, the arresting officer’s statement as well as the sum of £8,020 and $704 to the EFCC”, it further stated.
The prosecution tendered all documents in evidence. Justice Bogoro admitted and marked them as Exhibits P1 to P11.
“The prosecution counsel then sought to tender, in evidence, all the documents. Justice Bogoro admitted and marked them as exhibits P1-P11.”
Justice Bogoro adjourned the case to May 2, 2025, for judgment and ordered the remand of the defendant at a Correctional Centre.EFCC Arraigns Man for Non-declaration of Foreign Currency at Lagos Airport
