A Nigerian traveler has been detained at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport after authorities discovered $49,000 in undeclared cash during a routine security check, sparking a money laundering investigation by the country’s anti-graft agency. Duru Damian, who was preparing to board an Emirates flight to Dubai on Monday, initially claimed to have only $10,000—the legal limit for undeclared currency—but customs officials uncovered an additional $49,000 concealed on his person, bringing the total seizure to $59,000.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) transferred the case to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, with officials emphasizing stricter enforcement of anti-money laundering regulations. “This is part of an ongoing process,” said Effiong Harrison, the airport’s customs comptroller, noting that intercepted funds are routinely handed to specialized agencies for prosecution. He expressed frustration over repeated violations despite widespread public advisories, including announcements, electronic signage, and sensitization campaigns warning travelers to declare amounts above $10,000 or their equivalents.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed Damian’s arrest and detailed the circumstances of the interception at the airport’s Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) desk. The suspect now faces charges tied to Nigeria’s Foreign Exchange Act, which mandates full disclosure of currency exceeding thresholds to curb illicit financial flows.
Ahmed Ghali, acting head of the EFCC’s Lagos office, underscored the commission’s resolve to prosecute financial crimes decisively. “We are taking over another case of an individual disregarding our anti-money laundering laws,” he stated. “Our mandate is clear: enforce compliance and ensure no one evades accountability.”
The incident spotlights broader challenges in Nigeria’s fight against illegal capital movement, a persistent concern for authorities amid fluctuating currency controls and a cash-based informal economy. While penalties for non-declaration include fines up to twice the undeclared amount or imprisonment, enforcement has intensified as part of regional efforts to align with global financial transparency standards.
Customs and EFCC officials urged travelers to adhere to declaration protocols, framing compliance as both a legal obligation and a civic duty. Yet recurring incidents—like Damian’s interception—reveal gaps between policy awareness and adherence, prompting calls for tighter pre-departure screening and public education campaigns. With cross-border financial crimes remaining a priority for West African governments, the case serves as a cautionary reminder of heightened surveillance at major transit hubs.
