False Currency Declaration: Court Orders Remand of Woman

A Federal High Court in Lagos has remanded a woman in the Kirikiri Correctional Centre over alleged false currency declaration.

Ifunanya Phil-Olumba is accused of failing to declare foreign currency totaling $14,567, £1,030, and CA$40 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had preferred 3 counts against Phil-Olumba, accusing her of making false declarations to the Nigeria Customs Service, contrary to Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The prosecution, led by Okezie Chineye, called two witnesses to press their case at the resumed proceedings, before Justice Dehinde Dipeolu,  .

An officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mrs. Stella Ogar, who is first prosecution witness, told the court that the defendant was intercepted during inward clearance from the United Kingdom.

Speaking to the allegation of false currency declaration, Ogar said the defendant declared only CA$4,000, as against CA$14,000, she was actually in possession with.

“We arrested her and handed her over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further investigation,” Ogar testified.

The second prosecution witness, an EFCC operative, Felicia Paul, confirmed that the defendant was handed over to the commission by the customs, and that she opted to to make a written statement.

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According to the EFCC, the defendant on July 22, 2025, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, falsely declared the sum of $4,000 while in possession of $14,567; failed to declare CA$40; and falsely declared £1,000 while in possession of £1,030.

According to the anti-graft agency, the offences committed contravened Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

However, defence counsel, Edwin Anikwem, objected to the admissibility of the statement, contending that it was not obtained voluntarily and was made without the presence of counsel, contrary to legal requirements.

Justice Dipeolu adjourned further hearing to August 19 for continuation of the trial.