Court Jails Man 3 Months for Non-Declaration Of $30,000 at Airport: Lagos

Court jails man 3 months for non-declaration of $30,000 at Airport: Lagos. Justice Deinde I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, convicted and sentenced Okunfulure Olusola Steve to three Months imprisonment for money laundering.

The convict was arrested on March 28, 2025 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, for false currency declaration to the tune of $30,0000.

The NCS had, on Friday, March 28, 2025, handed him over to the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Okotie Eboh, Ikoyi, Lagos for further investigations.

Consequently, he was arraigned on Wednesday on one-count charge bordering on money laundering.

The count reads: “That you, Okunfulure Olusola Steve, on the 28th day of March, 2025 in Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, failed to make a declaration of the sum of $20,000 (Twenty Thousand United States Dollars) to the Nigerian Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, and thereby committed an offence Contrary to and Punishable under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

The defendant pleaded “guilty” to the charge when it was read to him.

Following his guilty plea, prosecution counsel, C.C. Okezie called on Felicia Paul, an operative of the EFCC, to review the facts of the case.

Paul, while giving details of how she knew the defendant, told the court that the NCS handed him over to the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC on Friday, March 28, 2025.

Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Paul also told the court that the defendant was arrested with the sum of $30,000, which he failed to declare. She further told the court that “ his statement was recorded under caution and was served with the bail conditions.”

Thereafter, she identified the defendant’s statement, the handing-over note from the NCS, the arresting officer’s statement as well as the sum of $30,000(Thirty Thousand US Dollars) to the EFCC.

Okozie then sought to tender, in evidence, the documents.

Justice Dipeolu admitted and marked them as exhibits 1,2,3 and 4 and held that “ I have read the exhibits, the statement of the defendant, and I found him guilty. He is accordingly convicted as charged.”

Okezie thereafter prayed that the undeclared sum of $20,000 be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria and that the defendant be jailed.

Defence counsel, Joel Ogundere, while addressing the court, said that the defendant “is a first-time offender and is not aware of the disclosure policy . He is a family man and has responsibilities. His bank account shows the legitimacy of the funds.”

Court

He also prayed the court to “ magnanimously waive any prison sentence”, adding that the convict would not mind forfeiting the sum of money or pay a fine.

Justice Dipeolu convicted and sentenced the defendant to three months imprisonment, with effect from the date of his arrest on March 28,2025. The Judge also ordered that the money be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Steve, a departing passenger on Delta Airline to Atlanta, United States had declared that he was not in possession of any sum of money in foreign currency but in Naira, while being profiled at the Currency Declaration Desk.

However, the sum of $30,000 undeclared was found on him during a search conducted by operatives of the NCS.

He was subsequently handed over to the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC for further investigations, a development that led to his arraignment and conviction.

National Police Day: NPF Sets To Host Maiden Edition April 7

National Police Day: NPF sets to host maiden edition April 7. Weeklong activities to culminate in grand parade at eagle square.

The Nigeria Police Force is set to host the maiden edition of National Police Day on April 7, 2025, at Eagle Square, Abuja. This historic event, which will run from April 2 to April 7, 2025, will feature a series of impactful humanitarian and community-based activities, including medical outreaches, community engagements, exhibitions by security companies and partners, among other programs aimed at fostering stronger police-community relations.

The National Police Day was pronounced by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces on the 19th April, 2024, during the Nigeria Police Award and Commendation Ceremony in Abuja.

The National Police Day is designed to celebrate the dedication, sacrifices, and achievements of the Nigeria Police Force in ensuring national security. It will provide a platform to recognize the Force’s pivotal role in safeguarding lives and property while reinforcing public trust and collaboration in maintaining law and order.

The event is expected to host government officials, community leaders, representatives of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), and key stakeholders from various sectors.

The celebration will also pay tribute to our fallen heroes, police officers who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the point of paying the supreme price of laying their lives down for the protection of the nation while in the line of duty.

Police

The event will commence on April 2 and feature a series of activities as follows;
Wednesday 2nd to Sunday 6th April 2025-Police Community Outreach Nationwide
Friday 4th April, 2025-Exhibition at Eagle Square, Abuja
Saturday 5th April, 2025-Official Opening Ceremony/Walkathon Nationwide
VIPs Visit to Exhibition Ground
Monday 7th April, 2025-Grand Parade/Procession at Eagle Square, Abuja

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, reaffirms the Force’s commitment to professional excellence and public service. As preparations for this landmark occasion gain momentum, the IGP calls on Nigerians to join in celebrating the gallant officers of the Nigeria Police Force and their immense contributions to national security.

The National Police Day stands as a testament to the resilience, dedication, and courage of police personnel and serves as an inspiration for future generations to uphold the highest ideals of service and integrity.

Economic Reforms: IMF Backs Nigeria’s Single Window Trade Project

Economic Reforms: IMF backs Nigeria’s single window trade project. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, received a delegation from the IMF Fiscal Affairs Department led by Marco Antonio, Technical Assistance Advisor for Revenue Administration 2, to discuss the ongoing Single Window Project.

A statement by the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday said the IMF expressed support for the initiative, aimed at streamlining trade processes, increasing government revenue, and enhancing the ease of doing business.

Antonio praised the NSW project, among other reforms, and inquired about how the IMF could provide further assistance for its successful implementation.

Minister Edun affirmed that the project is well underway, with approvals secured, a dedicated team in place, and a structured implementation plan.

Economic Reforms

He underscored the initiative’s potential to catalyze export growth, particularly with Nigeria on course to achieve 1.2 million barrels of daily oil production.

Describing the project as a transformative economic tool, Edun reiterated the government’s commitment to its success, citing the strategic leadership of President Tinubu and the support of the Nigeria Customs Service as key to its execution.