The Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Command of the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, on Monday arrested a passenger, Mr Ikebude Akoma, with $456,000 (N71,660,400) during the outward clearance of passengers of Qatar Airways flight to China en route Doha.

The Public Relations Officer of the Airport Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Mrs Thelma Williams while reacting to the arrest said that the passenger was apprehended for not being able to explain to the Customs authorities the source of the foreign currency with either bureau de change or bank slip which was a prerequisite for a proper documentation of the currency.

According to Mrs Williams, the passenger with the passport number A04073478, was arrested at the ‘E’ wing section of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport screening hall from where he was interrogated by officials on duty before being handed over the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

She noted that the passenger was guilty of the law for his inability to convince relevant authorities over the source of the money as well as his defiance of rules concerning the movement of huge sum of foreign currency outside the country.

“During the outward clearance of Qatar Airways flight to China via Doha, our officials reported that one passenger identified as Ikebude Akome with passport number A04073478 declared f$456,000 at E Wing screening hall of the Lagos Airport,” Williams said.

“On further investigation, it was discovered that the passenger had no proper document like the bureau de change or bank slip.” she added.

Williams, however, pointed out that the passenger had been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigations and necessary actions. [VN]


www.informationnigeria.org/2012/12/passenger-arrested-with-n71m-at-lagos-airport.html

So na crime to get money again? Did they rob someone?

Nigerians must be dirt poor and corrupt for EFCC to arrest "innocent" ppl without any relevant source for large amount of money.

Let's keep in mind that "relevant" is subjective and disputable.

[b]If you declare, problem. If you refuse to declare, problem. What do you need my friend? Forget about all these lies about Bureau de change receipt and bank slip nonsense...they will ask for more. No be Naija we dey. They just want to cut share from it.

What do you think the Gentleman is taking such amount of money to China for if not for business? Who is so foolish to launder money to China...for what if not business.

Now, you people have to understand that, in Nigeria today, it is difficult to wire huge amount of money, virtually impossible and the limit for private individual from personal accounts is $10,000 a day( CBN stipulated this well over 7 yrs ago)except you have to open up a business/commercial account to wire more but still has limit and rigorous application for approval . The Gentleman figured out that as an individual with personal account, wiring upwards of $400,000 will take well over 80-90 days( 3 months) including wire downtime as wire takes at least 2-3 days and non working days(weekends & holidays). So he decided to do this and many business men/women going to China and Qatar do this.[/b]

Ileke-IdI:
So na crime to get money again? Did they rob someone?

Nigerians must be dirt poor and corrupt for EFCC to arrest "innocent" ppl without any relevant source for large amount of money.

Let's keep in mind that "relevant" is subjective and disputable.

JUS WONDERING HOW YOU THINK? ILEKE-IDI

Going to China,Abe make una leave am,He's going for business joor

Hmm, when will all these rubbish stop?
And of all the dozens of people arrested so far, how many has been charged to court?
All these na wash, these guys will be released the next day after sharing the money with officials.

*speechless*

Money laundering, what abt dos unseen ?

Abeg mek una leave d man if he no do any shady deal. I go dey wait for d day dem go catch minister or govnor pikin. Maybe dat guy change d dola for aboki hand at market road aba, na wia guys dey change tins if u no won waste time for bank n dia protocools atimes joor

mehn, i n0 f!t c0mmenT, hunger dey k!ll me*

DANILSA:
JUS WONDERING HOW YOU THINK? ILEKE-IDI

Well she actually said the truth, is it a crime to do business outside nigeria?

Innocent nigerians are caught everyday due to malicious and wicked purposes whereas government officials launder,and embezzel billions of naira daily and nobody seems to be doing anything....

There are rich people in nigeria who made their money in a clean way, they shouldn't be victimised and robbed of their hard earned money on a flimsy excuse.
Merry christmas

It is necessary to verify the sources of those funds. I am not suggesting that the cash are proceeds of Kidnapping, fraud or theft, I am only saying the innocence of the vendors of such cash should be established. After all, if the money was legit, it should have been wired through the banking channels.

Knowledge9000: [b]If you declare, problem. If you refuse to declare, problem. What do you need my friend? Forget about all these lies about Bureau de change receipt and bank slip nonsense...they will ask for more. No be Naija we dey. They just want to cut share from it.

What do you think the Gentleman is taking such amount of money to China for if not for business? Who is so foolish to launder money to China...for what if not business.

Now, you people have to understand that, in Nigeria today, it is difficult to wire huge amount of money, virtually impossible and the limit for private individual from personal accounts is $10,000 a day( CBN stipulated this well over 7 yrs ago)except you have to open up a business/commercial account to wire more but still has limit and rigorous application for approval . The Gentleman figured out that as an individual with personal account, wiring upwards of $400,000 will take well over 80-90 days( 3 months) including wire downtime as wire takes at least 2-3 days and non working days(weekends & holidays). So he decided to do this and many business men/women going to China and Qatar do this.[/b]

So on point

Its gradually becoming a trend with this agencies and something needs to be done fast.

Knowledge9000: [b]If you declare, problem. If you refuse to declare, problem. What do you need my friend? Forget about all these lies about Bureau de change receipt and bank slip nonsense...they will ask for more. No be Naija we dey. They just want to cut share from it.

What do you think the Gentleman is taking such amount of money to China for if not for business? Who is so foolish to launder money to China...for what if not business.

Now, you people have to understand that, in Nigeria today, it is difficult to wire huge amount of money, virtually impossible and the limit for private individual from personal accounts is $10,000 a day( CBN stipulated this well over 7 yrs ago)except you have to open up a business/commercial account to wire more but still has limit and rigorous application for approval . The Gentleman figured out that as an individual with personal account, wiring upwards of $400,000 will take well over 80-90 days( 3 months) including wire downtime as wire takes at least 2-3 days and non working days(weekends & holidays). So he decided to do this and many business men/women going to China and Qatar do this.[/b]

You just said the gospel truth. Since he declared the money, what is there problem?

dridowu: Money laundering, what abt dos unseen ?

Atleast let's tackle the seen ones

Billyonaire: It is necessary to verify the sources of those funds. I am not suggesting that the cash are proceeds of Kidnapping, fraud or theft, I am only saying the innocence of the vendors of such cash should be established. After all, if the money was legit, it should have been wired through the banking channels.

Exactly let him let them know †ђξ source of the cash

It is always announced on the the public speakers at the airport that it is not an offence to take money out of nigeria, provided it is declare. Cant understand what is happenning at the airport.

Billyonaire: It is necessary to verify the sources of those funds. I am not suggesting that the cash are proceeds of Kidnapping, fraud or theft, I am only saying the innocence of the vendors of such cash should be established. After all, if the money was legit, it should have been wired through the banking channels.

You are really ignorant,Text book business man

Ileke-IdI:
So na crime to get money again? Did they rob someone?

Nigerians must be dirt poor and corrupt for EFCC to arrest "innocent" ppl without any relevant source for large amount of money.

Let's keep in mind that "relevant" is subjective and disputable.

Ignorant comment. Ignorant people.

You know the law of the land but continue to ignore the law. Some ignorant people will continue to support individuals who do not respect the law and blame the law enforcing agents for doing their job and accuse them of victimising "innocent" business men.

I can't understand how the mind of some people work ? And you want Nigeria to improve?

If you make your money in a clean way then there is no problem you should be able to account for it. No one who follows the news can claim ignorance of the recent clampdown on large cash movements through the airport.
There have been several recent arrests and anyone carrying that kind of cash is taking a very huge risk in many ways.
This rule is not peculiar to Nigeria and is a protocol involving so many countries including the EU,US and China where this man was going. Have we forgotton why Alamiesigha was arrested. There are many banks that transfer cash to China and I do not see why he does not do this.The fact that the government have not previously enforced the law does not mean there is none. Have we also forgotten that cash was also seized from Andy Uba ,in the US,who was travelling on a PRESIDENTIAL JET.
Let us call a shovel a shovel and not a spoon.

Karma go soon catch EFCC leaving d big thiefs and oppressing poor innocent businessmen

andyanders:


You just said the gospel truth. Since he declared the money, what is there problem?

Why can't he declare the source if its legitimate despite all the publicity about money laundering . If you are caught in other international airport with such huge sums and you have no credible answers , they will confiscate the money.

Why why do Nigerians support those who break the law?

Do you have to carry cash to do business or are we the only nation that spends cash?

aribisala0: If you make your money in a clean way then there is no problem you should be able to account for it. No one who follows the news can claim ignorance of the recent clampdown on large cash movements through the airport.
There have been several recent arrests and anyone carrying that kind of cash is taking a very huge risk in many ways.
This rule is not peculiar to Nigeria and is a protocol involving so many countries including the EU,US and China where this man was going. Have we forgotton why Alamiesigha was arrested. There are many banks that transfer cash to China and I do not see why he does not do this.The fact that the government have not previously enforced the law does not mean there is none. Have we also forgotten that cash was also seized from Andy Uba ,in the US,who was travelling on a PRESIDENTIAL JET.
Let us call a shovel a shovel and not a spoon.

You dont know were it pinches.Talking trash

SELFWORTH:

Why can't he declare the source if its legitimate despite all the publicity about money laundering . If you are caught in other international airport with such huge sums and you have no credible answers , they will confiscate the money.

Do you have to carry cash to do business or are we the only nation that spends cash?

Let me tell you,he may not be the only person that owns that money.Its always a collective effort of funds together.In Asia they welcome you ,because they know you are coming to do business.

As long as d name sounds Igbo, it is a good story for the moderators.

dridowu: Money laundering, what abt dos unseen ?

Thank you. How many politicians have they arrested??

anitank:
Thank you. How many politicians have they arrested??

so because they 've not arrested politicians,they should let others go away with money laundering?
Do you people supporting these money launderers, have fully developed brain-cells?
Mscheww.