COMPT NWOKORIE MAKES HISTORY AT MMIA; INTERCEPTS HUGE AMOUNT OF FOREIGN CURRENCIES FROM A DUBAI -BOUND AUSTRIAN PASSENGER
The Murtala Muhammed International AirPort command under the leadership of Compt Chidi Nwokorie has intercepted startling undeclared foreign currencies from an Austrian national billed to travel on Emirates Airline to Dubai.
Briefing newsmen in Lagos today, Nwokorie disclosed that the seizures include 651,605 Euros and another 800,575 USD.
“Gentlemen of the press, you’re invited here today to witness the demonstration of our unwavering commitment to combating financial crimes and upholding Nigeria’s economic integrity. As part of our ongoing efforts to enforce customs regulations and collaborate with law enforcement Agencies, we are handing over the following seized undeclared foreign currencies, €651,505 (Six Hundred and Fifty-One Thousand, Five Hundred and Five Euros) and $800,575 (Eight Hundred Thousand, Five Hundred and Seventy-Five USD, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This also is a demonstration of the synergy that has been existing between the two Agencies knowing that nothing gives energy to strategy like synergy!”
“This interception was made at about 1445 hrs on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Departure Terminal-1, when Mr KAVLAK OENAL, an Austrian national with Passport No. AP0084116, who was scheduled to travel on Emirate Airline to Dubai was asked if he had any currency to declare and he said he didn’t have any. However, after conducting a search, the amount mentioned above was found in his travelling bag. This contravenes the extant laws that mandate all travellers (Inbound and Outbound) to declare foreign currencies or negotiable instruments above $10,000 threshold or its equivalent.”
“It’s worthy of note here, that this interception aligns with the Laws and Acts which empower and confer on the Nigeria Customs Service the right to prevent illicit financial flows and ensure strict implementation of anti money laundering obligations at all borders, particularly, Section 12 of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provision) Act, 1995; Section 3 (3-5) of Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and Section 55 (1) of the NCS Act 2023”
“Meanwhile, the general public is hereby advised that carrying currency exceeding the legally approved threshold of $10,000 or its equivalent is not an offence. However, failure to declare, false declaration or under-declaration of the prescribed amount, constitutes an offence under the law. Therefore, I urge you, if you don’t have anything to hide and you’re into legitimate business and trade, to make an honest and full declaration of your currency and other negotiable instruments that are above the threshold of $10,000, at the Currency Declaration Desks in the Arrival and Departure Halls of the Airport or risk being prosecuted and losing the money to the Federal Government.”
“So on behalf of the Nigeria Customs Service and with the kind permission of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, the said Passenger, Mr Kavlak OENAL, his International Passport and the undeclared currencies (€651,505 & $800, 575) found on him are hereby duly handed over to the Operatives of the Economic Financial Crime Commission for further necessary actions.”
“First, we give God the glory and thanks for a special day like this. And we congratulate Nigeria for being delisted from the Grey List of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). This feat did not come easy nor cheap. It took the quality leadership of our CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR alongside the leadership of other concerned Agencies to achieve this. To them, Nigeria remains ever grateful.”
“My special thanks, on behalf of the CGC, also go to my vigilant and gallant officers especially, those in AML/CFT Unit, who resisted every temptation of compromise to intercept this money and make this press conference a reality today. You showed discipline! You showed professionalism! And you showed integrity! The Command is proud of you! The CGC is proud of you! The Service is proud of you and Nigeria is indeed proud of you!”