Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have launched a formal investigation into two men, Anih Shadrach Friday and Chukwukezie Vincent Ndonna, following the seizure of $79,150 (Seventy‑Nine Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars) in cash at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. The suspects, who were intercepted at the airport by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) working in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), are now facing a full inquiry into the source and intended destination of the funds under Nigeria’s anti‑money laundering laws. The EFCC disclosed in a statement on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, that its Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 had commenced investigations into the alleged money laundering case, signaling a deepening collaboration between anti‑narcotics and customs officials in the fight against illicit financial flows through the nation’s aviation hubs.
The arrest and subsequent probe come amid heightened security and anti‑corruption enforcement at the country’s airports, which have become a major front in the battle against cash smuggling and money laundering. The EFCC stated that the suspects were arrested during a joint operation involving NDLEA and Customs officers stationed at the Lagos airport, though the agency did not immediately disclose the exact circumstances under which the cash was discovered, including whether the funds were concealed or if the suspects attempted to declare the money before travelling. Under Nigerian law, passengers are required to declare cash or negotiable instruments exceeding an approved threshold—specifically, any amount above $10,000 or its equivalent—to the Nigerian Customs Service when leaving or entering the country, and failure to make such a declaration is a criminal offence, often leading to prosecution for money laundering under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The investigation by the EFCC will seek to determine the origin of the $79,150, the purpose of the cash movement, and whether the suspects violated Nigeria’s financial regulations. If the money is found to be linked to criminal activities, including drug trafficking, terrorism financing, or other forms of economic sabotage, the two suspects could face prosecution and the forfeiture of the seized funds to the federal government. The EFCC’s involvement also suggests that the case extends beyond mere failure to declare currency, with investigators likely probing the broader financial networks that may have facilitated the cash movement.
The latest seizure is one of several recent high‑profile interceptions of undeclared currency at Nigerian airports. In April 2026, a 45‑year‑old businessman was arrested at the same Lagos airport for failing to declare US$1.35 million in cash. In May 2026, the Nigeria Customs Service handed over €651,505 and $800,575 (totalling roughly ₦2.28 billion) to the EFCC after the funds were discovered in the luggage of an Austrian national, Kavlak Onal, who was preparing to board a flight to Dubai. In July 2025, customs officers at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport seized N654 million worth of undeclared foreign currencies from a suspect holding a Ghanaian passport. Those high‑value seizures, now pending in court, are part of a sustained crackdown on illicit financial flows that has intensified following Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List in March 2025, an achievement driven by improved inter‑agency coordination between the NCS, NDLEA, and EFCC.
For the two suspects, Anih Shadrach Friday and Chukwukezie Vincent Ndonna, the EFCC investigation represents the beginning of a legal process that could lead to asset forfeiture, criminal charges, or both. The agency has not disclosed whether the suspects have been granted bail or whether they are cooperating with investigators. As the probe continues, the EFCC has reiterated its commitment to tightening surveillance at airports and collaborating with aviation security, customs, and narcotics enforcement agencies to curb the use of Nigeria’s airspace for financial crimes and protect the country’s financial system from abuse.
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