By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced an investigation into an alleged money laundering case involving $79,150 recovered at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos.
Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 are currently questioning two suspects, Anih Shadrach Friday and Chukwukezie Vincent Ndonna, regarding the undeclared funds.
The suspects were apprehended by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) during a routine check at the airport on Friday, May 2, 2026.
According to the EFCC, Friday, a Nigerian resident in Angola, arrived in the country aboard an Angola Airlines flight.
He was allegedly found with the undeclared cash concealed in his hand luggage.
Further investigations suggest that Ndonna was at the airport specifically to receive the money.
During the formal handover of the suspects and the recovered currency on May 4, 2026, the NDLEA Commander, Mohammed Mamman, stated that the interception is part of sustained efforts to curb illicit financial flows and money laundering at the nation’s borders.
Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC Lagos Directorate, ACE I Adebayo Adeniyi, also ommended the inter-agency cooperation and assured that the commission would expedite investigations to ensure all culpable individuals are prosecuted.
The EFCC noted that the suspects will be charged to court once the investigation is concluded.