The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into Phil-Olumba Ifunaya Sheila, who was arrested by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for failing to declare foreign currencies totaling $14,567, £1,030, and CA$40.
Sheila was intercepted during a routine check at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
Scheduled to travel to the United Kingdom, she allegedly claimed to be carrying only $4,000 at the time of her arrest.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed that the Lagos Office has begun a detailed probe to determine the source and intended use of the funds, emphasizing that failure to declare such sums constitutes a criminal offense.
In a related case, the EFCC is also investigating a suspicious parcel intercepted by NCS and Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) officials.
The package contained ZW$101 trillion (Zimbabwean dollars), worth approximately ₦426 billion, and 41.64 million Vietnamese dong, valued at ₦95,746.52.
During the official handover of the suspect and seized currencies, NCS Area Comptroller E.J. Harrison highlighted the vigilance of customs and postal officers in intercepting the parcel, stating it was an attempt to smuggle large amounts of foreign currency into Nigeria.
M.A. Timta, representing EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, assured that the agency would expedite its investigations into both the suspect and the intercepted parcel.
Speaking on behalf of Acting Zonal Director Ahmed Ghali, Timta commended the Customs Service for its continued efforts in combating illicit financial flows into the country.
