Lagos Court Jails Man for Failing to Declare $30,000 at Airport

A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced Okunfulure Olusola Steve to three months in prison for money l@undering after he failed to declare $30,000 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

Justice Deinde I. Dipeolu delivered the verdict on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, following the defendant’s guilty plea to a one-count charge.

Steve was arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on March 28, 2025, for making a false currency declaration. He was later handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.

During the court proceedings, EFCC operative Felicia Paul testified that the defendant failed to declare $20,000, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The prosecution presented evidence, including the suspect’s statement and the seized cash.

After reviewing the exhibits, the court found Steve guilty and sentenced him to three months in prison, effective from the date of his arrest. The judge also ordered the forfeiture of the undeclared funds to the Federal Government.