The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has commenced investigation into two suspects, Jamilu Shuaibu Waya and Usman Namadi, over the alleged failure to declare $461,600 at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
The anti-graft agency disclosed this in a statement issued by its Kano Zonal Directorate after the suspects were handed over by the Nigeria Customs Service Kano/Jigawa Area Command.
The suspects were arrested on Friday, May 8, 2026, shortly after arriving from Dubai aboard Ethiopian Airline ET941.
The EFCC said the two men initially declared $130,000 and $180,000 respectively at the currency declaration desk. A further search by Customs officers reportedly uncovered an extra $120,000 on the first suspect, bringing the total in his possession to $250,000, while another $31,600 was allegedly found on the second suspect, raising his total to $211,600.
The commission stated that the undeclared funds violated Sections 3 and 4 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Speaking during the handover, the Zonal Director of the EFCC Kano Directorate, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Friday S. Ebelo, assured the Customs Service that the agency would carry out a detailed investigation into the matter.
“The EFCC will conduct a thorough and uncompromising investigation into this matter. We will prosecute the case with the utmost diligence to ensure that violators of our anti-money laundering laws face the full weight of justice,” he said.
Ebelo also praised the Nigeria Customs Service for its sustained cooperation with the EFCC, saying the partnership between both agencies remained important in tackling illegal cash movement and financial crimes.
In his remarks, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller UU Adamu, applauded the EFCC Kano Zonal Directorate for its continued support to the service.
“Let me express appreciation for the continuous collaboration with the EFCC Kano Zonal Directorate for their support in realizing our goal while combating the illegal movement of cash,” Adamu stated.
The suspects, alongside the recovered funds and other exhibits, have since been moved to the Kano Zonal Directorate of the EFCC for further investigation and possible prosecution.