Nigerian Customs Seize $578,000 Undeclared Cash At Lagos Airport

Nigerian customs seize $578,000 undeclared cash at Lagos Airport. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command, has intercepted $578,000 in undeclared cash from an inbound passenger arriving from South Africa.

Customs Area Controller John Harrison revealed this on Friday, identifying the suspect as Okorie Sunday, who arrived on March 19, 2025, and attempted to smuggle the cash hidden on his body.

Violation of Financial Regulations

Harrison explained that the passenger declared only $279,000 but concealed an additional $299,000, violating Nigeria’s $10,000 cash declaration limit. He also had £100 and a counterfeit $250.

Nigerian Customs dollars

The seized cash was handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.

EFCC’s acting Zonal Director, Ahmed Ghali, warned that failing to declare large sums of cash raises money laundering concerns and urged travelers to comply with financial regulations.

ICPC Stressed Importance Of Digital Reforms In NIS To Boost Governance, Citizen Welfare

ICPC stressed importance of digital reforms in NIS to boost governance, citizen welfare. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has stressed the importance of technology in tackling corruption and enhancing service delivery in the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

ICPC Calls for Stronger Digital Security

Speaking at a nationwide sensitization campaign in Abuja, ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, represented by Demola Bakare, highlighted concerns over recruitment fraud, passport processing irregularities, and border operation misconduct.

Aliyu urged:
Enhanced cybersecurity for recruitment portals.
Strict enforcement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Restructured Performance Management System (PMS).
Fixed administrative costs on passport applications to curb illegal fees.

While the NIS improved from non-compliance in 2023 to partial compliance in 2024 in the Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS), Aliyu called for further reforms, including whistleblower protections and stricter penalties for corruption.

NIS Pledges Transparency and Efficiency

NIS Comptroller General, Kemi Nanna Nandap, reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to digitization and corruption-free operations.

ICPC

She outlined key anti-corruption innovations, including:
Automated passport processing.
Contactless application systems.
E-Gates, body cameras, and E-Visas.

Nandap emphasized that transparency and efficiency are vital for restoring public trust and attracting investment, stating that expanding digital reforms will enhance service delivery and eliminate corruption.

The sensitization campaign is part of broader efforts to promote accountability and ethical governance within the NIS.

President Tinubu Taken To ECOWAS Court Over Rivers State Emergency Rule

President Tinubu taken to ECOWAS court over Rivers State Emergency Rule. The federal government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been sued at the ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja over the declaration of a state of emergency and the suspension of elected officials in Rivers State.

Legal Challenge Against Emergency Rule

In a suit filed on March 20, 2025 (ECW/CCJ/APP/18/25), the applicants are seeking a court order to nullify the suspension of elected officials and the removal of democratic structures in Rivers State.

The plaintiffs, Harry Ibiso and 11 others, along with the Eastern Zone of the Ijaw Youth Council, also demand the cancellation of all decisions, policies, and directives issued by the Sole Administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas, who was appointed by President Tinubu on March 18.

Claim: Tinubu Lacked Authority to Remove Elected Officials

The applicants argue that President Tinubu, as an elected official, lacks the constitutional authority to remove or suspend a state governor, who was also democratically elected.

They claim the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly violated their fundamental rights and those of the state’s residents.

“The action has stripped the people of Rivers State of their democratic rights and human dignity, effectively disenfranchising them,” the applicants stated.

They further argued that a state of emergency should not serve as a pretext for executive overreach, allowing the usurpation of a governor’s powers or the legislative authority of the state assembly.

Court Yet to Fix Hearing Date

Tinubu Taken To ECOWAS Court

The case, backed by constitutional lawyer Festus Ogwuche, is yet to be scheduled for a hearing.

Meanwhile, Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers State was ratified by the National Assembly on Thursday, despite opposition protests.

Vice Admiral Ibas has since assumed office as the state’s sole administrator.