The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into Haruna Yusuf after the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted undeclared foreign currencies worth $73,000, £15,957 and 827,800 Saudi Riyals at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
The currencies were seized in two interceptions between 8 and 12 August, with Customs officers finding the cash concealed in luggage and footwear.
Yusuf was arrested after Customs officers screening passengers arriving on an Ethiopian Airlines flight found $20,000 and £15,957 hidden inside sports shoes.
In a separate interception, officers recovered 827,800 Saudi Riyals and $53,300 from an unaccompanied Saudi Air bag.
The NCS handed Yusuf and the recovered currencies to the EFCC’s Kano Zonal Directorate for investigation and possible prosecution.
The EFCC said failure to declare large sums of currency when entering or leaving Nigeria violates the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, urging travellers to declare cash carried across the country’s borders.