Comptroller Shuaibu left handing over the cash to Asst. Commander Oguzi.
It was a beehive of activities Tuesday morning at the Ogun 1, Idiroko Command of the Nigeria Customs Service as a press briefing took place there. The Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Mohammed Salisu Shuaibu informed the journalists present about the foreign currency that was found in a bag within the jurisdiction of the Command.
In his speech, the CAC said “To actualise one of the mandates of the command as stipulated in section 4e & f of Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023 on suppression of smuggling and border enforcement, on 20th of March, 2025, our officers on duty at outward baggage hall while conducting the processing of passengers bags en route Nigeria to Benin Republic, a bag suspected to be carrying unlawful content was spotted. On through examination, it was discovered to contain new mint foreign currency notes”.
“Our officers conducted a search on the bag in line with the provision of section 6 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and discovered the bag to be containing foreign currency, on examination; it was discovered to contain 7,000,000.00 CFA”.
This amount is about ₦17,000,000.00 in
the value of the Nigerian currency. The seized currency is that used by the French speaking West and Central African States and it has to undergo the proper legal processes to be used in Nigeria.
Comptroller Shuaibu continued “Gentlemen of the press, it might interest you to know that failure to declare cash amounting the seized currency run contrary to the Anti-money laundering (prevention and prohibition) Act 2022 and the foreign exchange (monitoring and miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1995”.
He added “Gentlemen of the press, having recognised the critical role the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) played in enforcing law related to money laundering, terrorism financial and other financial crimes in Nigeria, the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun 1 Command on behalf of Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR invites the leadership of the EFCC and gentlemen of the press to be part of history as we carry out the directives of the Comptroller General of Customs, to officially hand over the seized 7,000,000.00 CFA to the EFCC”.
The cash was handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as legally stipulated. The handing over of the seized currency according the CAC “is to foster interagency collaboration between Nigeria Customs Service, EFCC and our sister agencies in line with the policy thrust of our Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi “.
Sample of the seized cash.
He admonished that we must all continue to send the right signal to discourage other people from indulging in the despicable act of smuggling. The CAC assures that the Idiroko command under his leadership is committed to the strict implementation of the Federal Government fiscal policies and the extant laws that govern the day to day operation of the service at the international corridor.
“I wish to advise the Border communities to discourage and desist from any unscrupulous act of smuggling activities. Finally, I want to use this medium to reiterate that the current Customs administration under the leadership of Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his management team have zero tolerance for revenue leakages, violation of Economic and fiscal policy measures in all its ramifications and we at command are committed to enforcing same”. He concluded.
In his reaction, the Assistant Commander Oguzi Moses, head of investigation, EFCC, Lagos Zone 2 lauded the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its vigilance in intercepting the illicit funds at the Idiroko border.
Speaking on behalf of the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Olanipekun Olukayede, and the Acting Zonal Director of EFCC Lagos Zone 2, Ahmed Ghali, Oguzi expressed deep appreciation for the synergy between both agencies.
“I sincerely thank the Nigeria Customs Service for this collaboration and their unwavering commitment to securing our borders. The interception of 7 million CFA stands as proof of the critical role interagency cooperation plays in tackling economic and financial crimes,” he stated.
Commending the Area Controller, MS Shuaibu, and his officers, he emphasised that such professionalism is key to preventing illicit financial flows and money laundering.
“As we take over this case, the EFCC will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the source and intent of these funds. Our forensic lab will verify their authenticity, ensuring that due process is followed,” he assured.
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