Court Remands Woman Over Alleged False Declaration of Foreign Currency at Lagos Airport

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday ordered the remand of Ifunanya Phil-Olumba at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre over allegations of making false declarations and failing to declare foreign currency totalling $14,567, £1,030, and CA$40 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed three counts against the defendant, accusing her of providing false information to the Nigeria Customs Service and failing to declare funds in contravention of Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

During proceedings before Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, prosecution counsel Okezie Chineye presented two witnesses.

The first witness, Nigeria Customs Service officer Mrs. Stella Ogar, testified that the defendant was stopped during inward clearance from the United Kingdom. Ogar said Phil-Olumba declared only CA$4,000, despite allegedly carrying CA$14,000 along with other undeclared sums. “We arrested her and handed her over to the EFCC for further investigation,” she told the court.

The second witness, EFCC operative Felicia Paul, confirmed that customs officials transferred the suspect to the commission. She added that the defendant was interrogated and agreed to provide a written statement, which the prosecution sought to admit as evidence.

However, defence counsel Edwin Anikwem objected, arguing that the statement was not obtained voluntarily and was taken without legal representation, in violation of procedure.

Justice Dipeolu adjourned the case to August 19 for continuation of trial.

According to the EFCC, the alleged offences occurred on July 22, 2025, at the Lagos airport, where the defendant was said to have declared only $4,000 while carrying $14,567, failed to declare CA$40, and declared £1,000 while in possession of £1,030. The agency said these acts breached the provisions of the Money Laundering Act.