EFCC arraigns Sierra Leonean for non-declaration of $90,000 at Lagos airport

Stanley Ihedigbo

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Alhaji Ahmed Shaw, a Sierra Leonean national, before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, for non-declaration of $90,000 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

Shaw was arrested on March 3, 2025, by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and later handed over to the EFCC for further investigation.

According to the Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Mr. Dele Oyewale, the defendant was arrested on March 3, 2025, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos by operatives of the NDLEA, for non-declaration of the sum of $90,000.

Upon his arrest, the Agency had, on Friday, March 5, 2025, handed him over to the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, Okotie Eboh, Ikoyi, Lagos for further investigations.

Consequently, he was arraigned on Thursday, April 3, 2025, on a one-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering.

The count reads: “That you, ALHAJI AHMED SHAW, on the 3rd day of March 2025 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, failed to make a declaration of the sum of $90,000 (Ninety Thousand United States of America Dollars) to the Nigeria Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos and you thereby committed an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

Given his plea, prosecution counsel, C.C. Okezie, asked for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded at a Correctional Centre.

Justice Dipeolu adjourned till April 15, 2025, for the commencement of trial and also ordered the remand of the defendant at a Correctional Centre.