The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted over N15 million
cash hidden under the seats and footmats of a car with three nationals
of Niger Republic. The Nigeriens were nabbed while entering the country.
Apparently aware that the trunk of the car would be searched at the
various checkpoints, the smart Nigeriens neatly stashed the cash where
security agents hardly check.
Comptroller of Customs in-charge of Katsina/Kaduna Area Command,
Yusuf Umar, who paraded the suspects identified as Abdulrasheed Usman
(22), his brother Salisu (21), and Bishir Abdullahi (30), before newsmen
in Katsina at the weekend, confirmed that nothing was found in the boot
of the suspects’ car, a Honda Academy, with Nigerian registration
number, ABUJA ABJ 602 AE, when they were intercepted at Makera
checkpoint on Jibia –Katsina road. Mr. Umar stated that the suspects,
who could be financial agents of a Bureau De Change operator, took a
bush path into Nigeria to evade scanning machines of the Customs Service
at Jibia international border.
He said the non-declaration of the cash carried by the suspects was
contrary to the provisions of Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011,
which states that transportation of cash or negotiable instruments in
excess of USD10,000 or its equivalent by individuals in or out of the
country shall be declared to the Nigeria Customs Service. He stated that
the suspects contravened the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA)
of 2004 and the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous
Provisions) Act by failing to declare amount to officers of the Customs.
According to him, the relevant provisions of the Act were aimed at
prohibiting financing of terrorism and laundering of the proceeds of a
crime or an illegal act. “The claim of these suspects in this case that
they are financial agents to Yaura BDP of Wapa, Kano, makes them liable.
Who is Yaura BDP, Wapa? Our investigation is ongoing to ascertain the
depth of involvement and occupational identity of the suspects.
“The alibi of collecting the money in Jibiya while not travelling
with a Nigerian companion cannot hold water. It is my sincere belief
that the Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant sister agencies will
get to the root of this matter so as to ascertain the purpose for the
movement of this money,” the Comptroller said in a prepared statement
made available to reporters.
SUN
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