N74.8m in oats is not mine, says South African lady

Ngqula,

 A South African lady who was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) for concealing $373,725 dollars and 2,120 Euros, equivalent to N74.8 million, in oats, has denied the money belonging to her.

The suspect, Nosisi Pam Ngqula, 39, arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is presently being investigated for money laundering.

Ngqula, who works in a cosmetic shop, said that the bag containing the money was given to her by a Nigerian in South Africa.

She said: “I live in Johannesburg, South Africa. I was given a bag by a Nigerian to deliver to one Damian Akamelu. During examination of my bags at the Lagos airport, the money was found inside packs of oats.”

The NDLEA spokesman, Mitchel Ofoyeju, said that the money was detected during an inward screening of passengers on a South African airline flight from Johannesburg. He added that two Nigerians were also being investigated by the anti-narcotic Agency.

NDLEA commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr. Hamza Umar said that it was a suspected case of money laundering.

He further explained: “The South African lady is being interrogated in connection with a suspected case of money laundering. The mode of concealment presents reasonable grounds for money laundering. Five packs of oats were found to contain $373,725 and €2,120. Two Nigerians, Damian Akamelus and Prophet Cyprian Chigere are also being interrogated in connection with the seized money.”

NDLEA Director of Assets and Financial Investigation, Mrs. Victoria Egbase said that refusal to declare the money and the manner of concealment were criminal and that the case was being investigated to establish possible link with drug trafficking.

NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Giade who commended the officers for detecting the money ordered that the case be investigated to determine the source of the money.

Giade said: “One of the mandates of the Agency is to identify, trace, freeze, confiscate or seize proceeds derived from drug-related offences or property whose value corresponds to such proceeds. I have therefore directed that the case be investigated to ascertain the source of the money.”

The investigation report is expected to be presented to the Chairman for necessary action.

Meanwhile, officials of the South Africa Embassy are said to be in touch with the suspect.