The Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched investigations into a case involving one Phil-Olumba Ifunaya Sheila, who was apprehended by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for allegedly failing to declare various foreign currencies in her possession.
Sheila was intercepted by customs officials during a routine screening on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. She was scheduled to travel to the United Kingdom. Upon questioning, she claimed to have only $4,000 on her. However, a search revealed she was carrying undeclared sums of $14,567, £1,030, and CA$40.
In a related development, the EFCC is also investigating a suspicious parcel containing large sums of foreign currency, which was intercepted by officials of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) and the NCS. The parcel was found to contain:
ZW\$101,000,000,000,000 (One Hundred and One Trillion Zimbabwean Dollars), equivalent to ₦426.09 billion
₫41,640,000 (Forty-One Million Six Hundred and Forty Thousand Vietnamese Dong), equivalent to ₦95,746.52
While handing over the suspect and the seized currencies to the EFCC, Area Comptroller E.J. Harrison of the NCS at the airport stated:
“Today, we have two separate interceptions to hand over to the EFCC. The first involves a suspect intercepted at the airport, and the second concerns a suspicious parcel discovered at NIPOST containing a large volume of foreign currency. Thanks to the vigilance and dedication of our officers and the NIPOST staff, we uncovered an attempt to smuggle these funds into Nigeria.”
He emphasized the NCS’s responsibility in preventing illegal financial flows into the country and affirmed continued collaboration with relevant authorities.
Receiving the suspect and the seized items, M.A. Timta, a representative of the EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, assured that the agency would expedite investigations into both the suspect and the parcel. Speaking on behalf of the Acting Zonal Director, Ahmed Ghali, Timta commended the Customs Service for its ongoing efforts to curb illegal financial practices in Nigeria.
