Agudosi Christopher Okechukwu has been charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission with failing to report foreign currency in his possession at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja. He was charged before Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The defendant was arraigned on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, on a two-count charge that borders on money laundering, the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC said in a statement on Wednesday.
According to the statement, “On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arraigned one Agudosi Christopher Okechukwu before Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, for alleged non-declaration of the sums of £8,020 (eight thousand and twenty pounds sterling) and $704 (seven hundred and four United States dollars).”
The EFCC clarified that Agudosi was sent to the agency for additional investigation after being detained at the airport in December 2024 by Nigeria Customs Service agents.
“The defendant was turned over to the EFCC for additional investigations after being detained by Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) agents at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, in December 2024 for non-declaration in the amount of £8,020 and $704.”
“That you, Agudosi Christopher Okechukwu, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, failed to make a declaration of the sum of £8,020 (eight thousand and twenty pounds sterling) to the Nigeria Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, on the 10th day of December, 2024 in Lagos, and thereby committed an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022,” the charge read aloud in court.
The statement claims that Okechukwu entered a guilty plea to the charges. After he pleaded, EFCC agent Abubakar Magaji was summoned by prosecution attorney C.C. Okezie to go over the case’s facts.
In his testimony, Magaji stated, “After the defendant was arrested with £8,020 and $704, the NCS turned him over to the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, Okotie Eboh, Ikoyi, Lagos for additional investigation.”
He further told the court that the defendant’s statement was taken under caution and that Agudosi had declared only £7,000 but failed to declare the remaining £8,020 and $704.
“He further told the court that his statement was recorded under caution. He stated that he was arrested at the MMIA Airport with a total sum of £15,020 and $704. He also stated that he declared £7,000 and forgot to declare the sums of £8,020 and $704 on him.
“He said he did not make the declaration because he claimed to have suffered a loss and was going to bring back the corpse of his brother. He submitted the death certificate of his brother, his brother’s pictures and other documents”, the statement added.
Magaji identified and submitted various items as evidence, including the defendant’s statement, the handing-over note from NCS, the arresting officer’s report, and the currencies involved.
“Thereafter, Magaji identified the defendant’s statement, the handing-over note from the NCS, the arresting officer’s statement as well as the sum of £8,020 and $704 to the EFCC”, it further stated.
The prosecution tendered all documents in evidence. Justice Bogoro admitted and marked them as Exhibits P1 to P11.
“The prosecution counsel then sought to tender, in evidence, all the documents. Justice Bogoro admitted and marked them as exhibits P1-P11.”
Justice Bogoro adjourned the case to May 2, 2025, for judgment and ordered the remand of the defendant at a Correctional Centre.EFCC Arraigns Man for Non-declaration of Foreign Currency at Lagos Airport
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