A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday ordered the remand of Ifunanya Phil-Olumba in the Kirikiri Correctional Centre over allegations of false declaration and non-declaration of foreign currency amounting to $14,567, £1,030, and CA$40 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed three counts against her, accusing her of making false declarations to the Nigeria Customs Service and failing to declare foreign currency, in violation of Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
At the resumed proceedings before Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, prosecution counsel Okezie Chineye presented two witnesses.
The first, Mrs. Stella Ogar, an officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, testified that the defendant was stopped during inward clearance from the United Kingdom. According to her, the defendant declared only CA$4,000, despite allegedly carrying CA$14,000 along with other undeclared amounts.
“We arrested her and handed her over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further investigation,” Ogar told the court.
The second witness, EFCC operative Felicia Paul, confirmed that the customs service handed over the defendant to the commission. She said the defendant was interrogated and opted to make a written statement, which the prosecution sought to admit as evidence.
However, defence lawyer Edwin Anikwem opposed its admissibility, arguing that the statement was not made voluntarily and was taken without the presence of legal counsel, in breach of legal procedures.
Justice Dipeolu adjourned the case until August 19 for continuation of trial.
The EFCC alleges that on July 22, 2025, at the Lagos airport, the defendant falsely declared $4,000 while actually carrying $14,567, failed to declare CA$40, and falsely declared £1,000 while carrying £1,030. The offences are said to be contrary to Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
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