MMIA Command Intercepts Over ₦2.28bn Undeclared Foreign Currency At Lagos Airport, Hands Over Suspect To EFCC
Customs Page
By Asuquo Nuwak
MMIA Command Intercepts Over ₦2.28bn Undeclared Foreign Currency At Lagos Airport, Hands Over Suspect To EFCC
The Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command of Nigeria Customs Service, on Tuesday announced the interception of undeclared foreign currencies valued at over ₦2.28 billion and formally handed them over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for further investigation.
The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Nwokorie Chidi, who disclosed this while addressing journalists at a press briefing held at the MMIA command, also said the seizure was part of ongoing efforts by the Service to combat illicit financial flows and strengthen Nigeria’s compliance with international anti-money laundering standards.
Aside from this, he said the intercepted currencies comprised €651,505 and $800,575 which were concealed in the luggage of a departing passenger.
So far, Comptroller Chidi Nwokorie, has handed over the undeclared foreign currency to Adejumo Richard of EFCC during the briefing in Lagos
Still, Comptroller Chidi, noted that the interception came at a significant time, following Nigeria’s recent delisting from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List, describing the development as a testament to the country’s renewed commitment to financial transparency and global best practices.
He attributed the success to the quality leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and the collaborative efforts of relevant security and regulatory agencies.
Furthermore, he commended officers of the command, particularly those in the Anti-Money Laundering/Counter Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Unit, for their professionalism, vigilance, and integrity.
He announced that the officers involved resisted every temptation to compromise and demonstrated the core values of the Nigeria Customs Service, adding that their conduct reflects their institutional resolve to protect Nigeria’s economic and security interests.
Comptroller Chidi Nwokorie, explained that the seizure was made at about 2:45 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Departure Terminal 2 of the Lagos airport.
He identified the suspect as Mr. Kavlak Onal, an Austrian national with passport number AP0084116, who was scheduled to travel to Dubai aboard an Emirates Airlines flight.
He said the passenger had denied carrying any currency requiring declaration when questioned by customs officers, but was later found, after a thorough search of his travel bag, to be in possession of the undeclared funds.
Comptroller Chidi stressed that the action contravened extant laws mandating all inbound and outbound travellers to declare foreign currencies or negotiable instruments exceeding the approved threshold of $10,000 or its equivalent.
He cited relevant legal provisions empowering the Nigeria Customs Service to act, including Section 12 of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act of 1995; Sections 3 (3–5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022; and Section 55 (1) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
The Area Controller clarified that carrying foreign currency above the $10,000 threshold is not an offence under Nigerian law, but failure to declare, false declaration, or under-declaration constitutes a punishable violation.
He therefore advised travellers engaged in legitimate business to make honest and full declarations of their foreign currencies and other negotiable instruments at the designated Currency Declaration Desks in the arrival and departure halls of airports across the country.
“With the approval of the Comptroller-General of Customs, the passenger, his international passport, and the undeclared foreign currencies have been formally handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further necessary action,” Chidi stated.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to sustained collaboration with sister agencies, noting that inter-agency synergy remains critical to effectively tackling financial crimes and safeguarding the nation’s economy.
The press briefing concluded with assurances that the Service would continue to enforce Customs laws without fear or favour, while supporting Nigeria’s broader efforts to strengthen its financial system and international reputation.
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