Man Arrested at Lagos Airport with Counterfeit $10,000

• Nigeria Customs arrests a man attempting to board a flight to Brazil with counterfeit $10,000, violating money laundering laws
• Seized counterfeit currency and the suspect’s belongings handed over to the EFCC for further investigation, praises Customs officers’ diligence

A 41-year-old man, Ifeanacho Marcellinus Ugbor, was apprehended by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. The arrest occurred as Ugbor attempted to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight (ET900) to Brazil on November 10, 2023. The suspect, who possessed a valid Nigerian passport (No. B00033052), was found to have counterfeit $10,000.

Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Charles Orbihi, stated that the suspect’s actions violated section 15 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (As Amended) Act No 11, 2011, and Act No1, 2012. The Controller emphasized that the passenger’s declaration of $10,000 on the Currency Declaration Form raised suspicion, leading Customs officers to examine the currency under section 66 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. Subsequently, it was discovered that the entire sum of $10,000 was counterfeit.

The suspect was prevented from travelling and detained for further investigation. The seized counterfeit currency and the suspect’s Nigerian passport, two phones, and his baggage were handed over to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) for necessary action. Controller Orbihi commended the diligence of Customs officers in combating customs-related crimes and exposing perpetrators.

Nigerian Army gets first professor

The Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna State, has promoted Lt. Col. Abubakar-Surajo Imam to the rank of a Professor of Mechatronics Engineering.

Imam is said to be the first professor among serving personnel in the history of the Nigerian Army.

The Registrar of the Academy, Brig.-Gen. A.M. Tukur announced the promotion in a statement on Friday in Kaduna.

He said that the promotion was ratified during the NDA Council Meeting in September, and took effect from October 1, 2023.

The registrar said that the council’s decision was a reflection of the confidence and recognition of the contributions of Imam to the Department of Mechatronics Engineering of the Academy.

He said that the new professor has provided exemplary services and upheld the standard of excellence expected in his field.