The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, on Tuesday arraigned Agudosi Christopher Okechukwu before Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, for alleged non-declaration of foreign currency amounting to £8,020 (Eight Thousand and Twenty Pounds Sterling) and $704 (Seven Hundred and Four United States Dollars).
Okechukwu was apprehended in December 2024 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) during routine screening. He was subsequently transferred to the EFCC for further investigation.
According to a statement issued by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the defendant was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on money laundering. One of the charges reads:
“That you, Agudosi Christopher Okechukwu, on the 10th day of December, 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, failed to declare the sum of £8,020 to the Nigeria Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
When the charges were read, Okechukwu pleaded guilty.
Following his plea, prosecution counsel C.C. Okezie called EFCC operative Abubakar Magaji to present the facts of the case. Magaji recounted that the defendant initially declared £7,000 but failed to disclose the remaining amount. In his cautionary statement, Okechukwu claimed the omission was unintentional, citing emotional distress linked to the death of his brother, whose remains he was reportedly arranging to repatriate. Supporting documents, including a death certificate and photographs, were submitted by the defendant.
Magaji confirmed the submission of the defendant’s statement, the NCS handover note, and the confiscated funds—£8,020 and $704—to the EFCC.
All evidence was admitted and marked as Exhibits P1 to P11 by the court.
Justice Bogoro subsequently adjourned the case to May 2, 2025, for judgment, ordering that Okechukwu be remanded in a correctional facility in the interim.
