*Orders Forfeiture To FG
Justice S.M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court in Kano has sentenced a man, Salisu Ahmad, to prison for failing to declare large sums of foreign currency upon entering Nigeria through the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
Ahmad was convicted on a one-count charge of non-declaration of funds, in violation of Sections 3(3) and 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought the case following his arrest by Nigeria Customs Service officers during a routine check on July 7, 2025.
According to court filings, Ahmad attempted to enter the country aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 from Saudi Arabia with undeclared foreign currencies valued at ₦653 million. The amounts included $420,900, £5,825, CFA3,946,500 (West African CFA), and Cameroonian CFA224,000. The money was discovered concealed in polythene bags wrapped in cloth within Ahmad’s luggage.
The charge stated: “That you, Salisu Ahmad, on or about the 7th day of July, 2025… while transporting [the above-listed sums]… failed to make declaration of same to the Nigerian Customs.”
Upon arraignment, Ahmad pleaded guilty. Prosecution counsel, Mustapha A. Maiwada, urged the court to convict him in line with his plea.
Justice Shuaibu found the defendant guilty and ordered the total sum forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Following the arrest, Ahmad told investigators that he was acting on behalf of his brother, Auwal Ahmad, who is based in Saudi Arabia. He claimed he was directed to deliver the funds to two individuals in Nigeria. Both men—Yusuf Adamu and Abdulhamid Rabiu—were reportedly arrested after attempting to collect the money.
The EFCC said investigations are ongoing regarding other parties connected to the attempted transfer.