By Jelili Gbadamosi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken over the investigation of Haruna Yusuf following the interception of undeclared foreign currencies worth thousands of dollars, pounds and Saudi riyals at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
The Kano Zonal Directorate of the EFCC received the suspect and the recovered currencies from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) after two separate interceptions conducted at the airport between August 8 and August 12, 2026.
The currencies intercepted include $73,000, £15,957 and 827,800 Saudi Riyals.
The Acting Customs Area Comptroller of the Kano/Jigawa Command, Deputy Comptroller U. U. Adamu, formally handed over Yusuf and the exhibits to the EFCC at the Customs Area Command in Kano.
According to Adamu, the first interception occurred on August 8 when officers conducting passenger screening discovered an unaccompanied Saudi Air luggage containing 827,800 Saudi Riyals and $53,300. The currencies were reportedly concealed inside footwear.
A second interception was made on August 12 when Customs officers flagged luggage belonging to Yusuf, who arrived at the airport aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET941.
Adamu said secondary screening using Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology led to the discovery of $20,000 and £15,957 concealed inside sportswear shoes.
Receiving the suspect and exhibits on behalf of EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC in Kano, Friday S. Ebelo, commended the Customs Service for its cooperation and vigilance.
Ebelo said the failure to declare large amounts of currency or their equivalent violates provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
He, however, clarified that declaring foreign currency does not attract a penalty, stressing that legal concerns may arise from the source of undeclared funds.
The EFCC official urged travellers to comply with Nigeria’s currency declaration requirements, assuring members of the public that legally declared funds would not be seized on that basis.
The Customs Service said the interceptions demonstrated the effectiveness of its surveillance and intelligence-driven measures, while both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening inter-agency cooperation against financial crimes and illegal movement of cash across Nigeria’s borders.
The EFCC said its investigation would continue in accordance with the law, with prosecution to follow where necessary.
