Man Arraigned by EFCC Over Undeclared Foreign Currency at Lagos Airport

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Agudosi Christopher Okechukwu before Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged failure to declare foreign currency while passing through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC confirmed that Okechukwu was arraigned on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, on a two-count charge linked to money laundering.

According to the statement, “The Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, arraigned one Agudosi Christopher Okechukwu for alleged non-declaration of the sums of £8,020 (Eight Thousand and Twenty Pounds Sterling) and $704 (Seven Hundred and Four United States Dollars).”

The Commission further stated that the defendant was initially intercepted by Nigeria Customs Service officials at the Lagos airport in December 2024 before being handed over to the EFCC for further investigation.

Going further, the statement revealed that, Okechukwu pleaded guilty to the charges. According to the EFCC operative, Agudosi had only declared £7,000 at the airport, concealing an additional £8,020 and $704.

The statement read: “He told the court his statement was recorded under caution. He admitted being apprehended at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport in possession of £15,020 and $704. However, he only declared £7,000, claiming he forgot to disclose the remaining £8,020 and $704.”

The defendant allegedly explained that the oversight was due to personal distress, as he had suffered a financial loss and was traveling to retrieve his late brother’s remains. He presented his brother’s death certificate, photographs, and other related documents as part of his explanation.

Magaji went on to identify several items linked to the case, including the defendant’s cautionary statement, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) handing over note, the arresting officer’s report, as well as the undeclared foreign currencies.

The statement reads “Magaji identified the defendant’s statement, the NCS handing over note, the arresting officer’s report, along with £8,020 and $704, which were handed over to the EFCC.”

All materials were submitted by the prosecution and admitted into evidence by Justice Bogoro, who marked them as Exhibits P1 through P11.

Following this, the judge adjourned the matter to May 2, 2025, for judgment and ordered that the defendant be remanded at a correctional facility.