A dramatic turn of events unfolded in a Lagos court as Ahmed Shaw, a defendant accused of money laundering, changed his plea from “not guilty” to “guilty” in a surprising move. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had re-arraigned Shaw before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, May 2, 2025.
Shaw’s journey to this point began on March 3, 2025, when he was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The reason for his arrest was the non-declaration of $90,000, which is a violation of Nigerian law. After his arrest, Shaw was handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and was subsequently arraigned on April 3, 2025, on a one-count charge of money laundering.
The charge against Shaw was clear: he had failed to declare the sum of $90,000 to the Nigeria Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, an offense punishable under the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022. Initially, Shaw pleaded “not guilty” to the charge, but in a surprising twist, his defense counsel, E.I. Ogundeji, informed the court on May 2, 2025, that Shaw wished to change his plea.
With his new plea of “guilty,” the prosecution, led by Z.B. Atiku, called on Aminu Lawal, an EFCC operative, to review the facts of the case. Lawal told the court that Shaw had been arrested with the undeclared $90,000 and had admitted to not declaring the sum in his statement, which was recorded under caution. The defendant’s statement, the handover note from the NDLEA, the arresting officer’s statement, and the $90,000 itself were all tendered as evidence.
Justice Dipeolu has adjourned the matter until May 6, 2025, for the delivery of judgment, leaving Shaw’s fate hanging in the balance. The outcome of this case will be closely watched, as it highlights the ongoing efforts of Nigerian authorities to combat financial crimes and ensure compliance with the country’s laws and regulations. As the world waits for the judgment, one thing is clear: the fight against money laundering is a global concern, and Nigeria is taking steps to address it.
