Court remands bizman over non-declaration of $90,000

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Thursday remanded a Sierra Leone national Alhaji Ahmed Shaw standing trial for alleged non-declaration of the sum of $90,000 to the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

Justice Deinde Dipeolu remanded Shaw in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS) following his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The one-count charge alleged that the defendant failed to declare the sum of $90,000 during inward clearance of Sierra Leone-bound travellers.

EFCC counsel Okezie Chineye told the court that the defendant committed the offence at the Murtala Mohammed Intemational Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

She added that the offence was contrary to and punishable under section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.  Shaw pleaded not guilty. 

Defence counsel Victor Chinedu informed the court that Shaw had only just been served with the charge and was thus unprepared for trial.

Justtice Dipeolu adjourned trial till April 15 and remanded the defendant in NCS custody.