Customs
Customs secures conviction of South Africa – inbound passenger arrested with $578,000 at Lagos Airport
Funso OLOJO
One of the counts reads: “That you, Okorie Sylvernus Sunday, on the 19th day of March, 2025 in Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, failed to make a declaration of the sum of $299,000 (Two Hundred and Ninety Nine Thousand United States Dollars), which you concealed in Relaxer containers to the Nigerian Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, and thereby committed an offence Contrary to and Punishable under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
He pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him.
Consequently, Justice Dipeolu adjourned till March 26, 2025 for the commencement of trial and also ordered the defendant to be remanded in the Correctional Centre.
However, at the resumed sitting on Wednesday, defence counsel, U. Okoronkwo, told the court that the defendant would like to change his plea from “not guilty” to “guilty.”
In view of this prosecution counsel, C.C.Okezie, prayed the court to withdraw counts three and four of the charges. The judge, thereafter, removed both counts three and four of the charges preferred against the defendant.
However, while the defendant was about to change his plea, he slumped during the proceedings and was immediately taken to the clinic.
Thereafter, Okezie, told the court that “We were informed by the clinic upstairs that he requires medical attention. However, the Correctional Centre does not have the facility to do so in time.”
The Judge remanded the defendant in the EFCC custody and also stood down the case.
When the court resumed sitting, the defendant “pleaded guilty” to the two-count charges preferred against him.
Following his guilty plea, Okezie, called both N.B. Tonbor, an operative of the NCS and Felicia Paul, an operative of the EFCC, to review the facts of the case . Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel , Tonbor told the court he works in the Anti-money Laundering Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service, Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. He added that his job entailed profiling passengers departing and arriving at the Airport.
He said: “ On March 19, 2025, at 9:10.p.m., Mr. Okorie Sunday approached the Currency Declaration Desk and was asked how much he had on him. He declared that he had the sum of $ 279,000.
“My team was not convinced by the declaration, so they searched further. By checking the bags , they found money concealed in a pack of cream . The said money was tied in a nylon and wrapped with a cello tape”.
“When it was unveiled, we saw various amounts and the sum total was counterfeit $299,000 United States Dollars and One Hundred Euros, which were not declared.
“Upon discovery of the money, a call was placed to our Area Comptroller, who gave the order for the passenger to be refrained. He was later handed over to the EFCC, being the body tasked to prosecute money launderers.”
When he was shown the declaration form and the handing-over note, the witness identified the Declaration Form of the defendant, the handing-over note from the Customs as well as the undeclared sums of money.
Okezie, thereafter, sought to tender , in evidence, the documents.Justice Dipeolu admitted and marked them as exhibits 1, 2 and 3.
In her review of the facts, Paul told the court that the NCS contacted the EFCC that it had arrested a suspect from South Africa, adding that “The defendant was handed over to the Commission along with the sum of $578,000 and €100.
“Thereafter, the defendant was interviewed. During the interview, he said he arrived in Nigeria and went to declare the cash that he brought to the country to the Nigeria Customs Service.
“After being interviewed under caution, he said he could not write; so, his son, Okorie Emeka, wrote his statement on his behalf .
“He said he did not declare them because he did not know the actual amount, as he was given the money by some of his friends from South Africa to give to a Bureau De Change operator in Ikeja, Lagos.”
Paul further told the court that Sunday was served with an administrative bail, but he could not fulfill the required conditions.
“ He was, therefore, detained in our custody and the bureau de change operator he was to give the money to was also invited to the office . His name is Abdul Rasheed Suleiman. He was interviewed and his statement was also recorded.”
Paul identified the statement of the defendant, statement of the bureau de change operator and the statement of the Nigeria Customs’ officer who handed over the defendant to the EFCC. The prosecution counsel then sought to tender, in evidence, the documents.
Justice Dipeolu admitted and marked them as exhibits 5 , 6 and 7, respectively.
the defendant guilty on counts 1 and 2. He is accordingly convicted as charged.”
Okezie prayed the court that the undeclared sums of Two Hundred and Ninety-nine United States Dollars ($299,000) and One Hundred Euros ( €100 ) be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria and that the defendant be sentenced.
The defence counsel, while addressing the court, said that the defendant “is a first-time offender, who has no criminal record.
“ He pleaded guilty to the offences as captured at the next opportunity upon arraignment and did not waste the time of the court.”
He, therefore, urged the court “to see it as a sign of remorse.” He further described the convict as “a businessman, who allowed himself to be misled and did not know the extent and gravity of the offence.
“He has realised his decision was wrong and would do things differently. “
He, therefore, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy and consider forfeiture of the sums undeclared as a punishment in this circumstance.
Justice Dipeolu convicted and sentenced the defendant to six months imprisonment.
The Judge also ordered that the sums of Hundred and Ninety-nine United States Dollars ($299,000) and One Hundred Euros ( €100 ) be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Customs
Ogun Customs spurns claims of Smugglers’ takeover of Idiroko–Sango Ota trading Route
Funso OLOJO, Editor
The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dismissed as false reports alleging that smugglers had taken over the Idiroko–Sango Ota trading route in Ogun State, describing the claims as a deliberate misrepresentation of a traffic incident.
In a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs (SC) Chado, the Command clarified that the traffic gridlock on the route resulted from the breakdown of an articulated commercial trailer after it fell into a badly deteriorated section of Atan Road, temporarily obstructing the free flow of traffic.
According to the Command, the vehicles caught in the ensuing congestion were legitimate commercial trucks transporting red palm oil to various local markets and had no connection whatsoever with smuggling activities.
It explained that the large number of heavy-duty trucks trapped in the gridlock may have led some members of the public to wrongly conclude that smugglers had taken over the road.
“The reports that smugglers blocked the road are inaccurate. The disruption resulted from a road accident and poor road conditions. The vehicles involved were lawful commercial vehicles transporting red palm oil for legitimate trade,” Chado stated.
The Command urged journalists, social media users and the general public to verify information before disseminating reports capable of creating unnecessary panic or undermining public confidence in security agencies.
Observers within the border trade sector noted that the allegation does not reflect the prevailing security situation within the Ogun I Area Command, where anti-smuggling operations have been intensified under the leadership of the Acting Customs Area Controller, Comptroller O.O. Afeni.
Since assuming office, Comptroller Afeni has strengthened intelligence-driven surveillance, enhanced collaboration with other security agencies and host communities, and sustained pressure on economic saboteurs operating along the Ogun border corridors.
These measures, according to stakeholders, have resulted in significant seizures of prohibited goods and reinforced the Command’s resolve to safeguard Nigeria’s economy and territorial integrity.
Maritime and border trade stakeholders also cautioned against the spread of unverified information capable of undermining the efforts of security personnel or creating a false impression of lawlessness in border communities.
They stressed that while combating smuggling remains an ongoing responsibility, responsible and accurate reporting is equally critical to ensuring that operational achievements are not overshadowed by misinformation.
The Ogun I Area Command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining its anti-smuggling campaign while facilitating legitimate cross-border trade in line with the statutory mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Customs
Customs puts smiles on faces of 4,237 retirees as Adeniyi releases N7.61bn to 9 PFAs for payment
Funso OLOJO, Editor
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has disbursed N7.61 billion to nine Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) for the payment of retirement benefits to 4,237 retired Customs officers, reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of its former personnel.
Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this during a dialogue with retired officers held on Tuesday, July 14th, 2026, where he announced that the funds had already been released to the PFAs for immediate credit to the retirees’ individual Retirement Savings Accounts.
According to the beneficiary breakdown, Premium Pension has the highest number of beneficiaries with 2,268 retirees, followed by Access-ARM Pension Managers with 1,223.
Leadway Pensions will pay 403 retirees, TrustFund Pensions 156, FCMB Pensions 144, Veritas Glanvills Pensions 28, Norrenberger Pensions 11, while Fidelity Pension Managers will pay four retirees, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 4,237.
Addressing the retirees, Adeniyi stressed that the Customs Service remains committed to ensuring the welfare of both serving and retired officers, noting that the institution’s future is closely tied to how it treats those who devoted their careers to its service.
He said the Service must remain financially strong and capable of meeting its obligations, emphasizing that retirees deserve dignity and timely access to their benefits.
The CGC also called for sustained engagement between the Service and its retirees, explaining that the dialogue was convened to address concerns, foster mutual understanding, and dispel misinformation.
“I acknowledge your concerns and suggestions, and it is in view of this that we convened this dialogue to promote better understanding and reduce the effect of rumours and unofficial information on the relationship between the Service and its retired personnel,” Adeniyi said.
Also present at the meeting were the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Human Resources Development, DCG Tijjani Abe, and other members of the Customs Management Team, who assured the retirees that the issues raised would receive due consideration at both the Board and Management levels.
The retired officers commended the Comptroller-General and the Management for creating a platform for direct interaction, describing the engagement as timely and beneficial.
They appealed for the dialogue to become a regular feature to strengthen the bond between the Service and its retired workforce.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of ongoing Federal Government efforts to improve pension administration, following plans to review relevant statutory provisions, including Section 15(4) of the Pension Reform Act 2014, in line with Section 173(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), with the aim of enhancing the welfare of pensioners across the public service.
Customs
Apapa Customs intercepts ₦26.57bn cannabis hidden in imported vehicles
Gloria Odion Maritime reporter
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has dealt a major blow to drug trafficking networks with the interception of 4,143.5 kilograms of Cannabis Indica valued at ₦26.57 billion, cleverly concealed inside a 40-foot container carrying imported used vehicles.
The illicit consignment was uncovered during a joint examination conducted by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Command’s Enforcement Unit.
The interception followed credible intelligence, which prompted the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, to order a comprehensive examination of 40-foot container No. FANU1933352.
The operation, carried out on Friday, July 10, 2026, led to the discovery of one of the largest cannabis seizures recorded at the nation’s premier port.
The container had been declared to contain three used vehicles—a 2015 red Nissan Micra, a 2019 black Toyota Corolla S, and a 2015 grey Toyota Corolla.
However, a meticulous inspection revealed 162 bags containing 8,287 parcels of Cannabis Indica, each weighing 500 grams, bringing the total weight of the narcotics to 4,143.5 kilograms.
Investigators found that four of the bags had been concealed inside the red Nissan Micra, while the remaining 158 bags were strategically hidden beneath the container floor and in the spaces between the three vehicles.
No narcotics were found inside either the black Toyota Corolla S or the grey Toyota Corolla.
Speaking on the seizure, Comptroller Oshoba described the interception as another demonstration of the Apapa Area Command’s unwavering resolve to prevent the importation of prohibited items, particularly illicit drugs that threaten public health, national security, and the economy.
He noted that the successful operation aligns with the zero-tolerance policy of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, against smuggling and all forms of illicit trade.
The Customs Area Controller reiterated the Command’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade while sustaining robust enforcement against prohibited and restricted imports.
He also commended the officers involved for their professionalism, vigilance, and dedication.
“This seizure once again demonstrates our unwavering commitment to ensuring that only legitimate trade thrives at Apapa Port,” Oshoba said.
“As investigations continue, we remain resolute in making the port inaccessible to those engaged in unlawful activities prohibited by our laws.
“I also wish to reassure our compliant traders of our continued support. They will continue to benefit from the trade facilitation measures introduced by the Comptroller-General of Customs to promote seamless and legitimate business operations.”
Following the interception, Comptroller Oshoba ordered the seizure of the container in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and other relevant laws.
The seized Cannabis Indica will subsequently be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation, prosecution of those involved, and other necessary legal actions.
The seizure underscores the growing synergy between the Nigeria Customs Service and the NDLEA in combating transnational organised crime, particularly the trafficking of illicit drugs through the nation’s seaports, while reinforcing the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s borders and protecting the public from the devastating effects of narcotics.
Headlines3 months agoJolapamo retrieves Ikoyi home, N473.347m from ex- wife, as court awards N5m damages against estranged wife
- Customs2 months ago
Nigeria’s business community lauds Customs performance in Q1 2026, seeks improvement in service delivery
- Analyses2 months ago
MONDAY DISCOURSE WITH NASIRU
- Economy3 months ago
News Alert! Tinubu sacks Wale Edun as Finance Minister in cabinet reshuffle, appoints Taiwo Oyedele as replacement
- Headlines2 months ago
Sallah celebration: Osun govt offers free train ride to indigenes as NRC increases Lagos–Ibadan Train Trips for Sallah
- Analyses2 months ago
THE IBOM DEEP SEAPORT: Nigeria’s ultimate counterweight in West African maritime race
