By A Sierra Leonean, Alhaji Ahmed Shaw, was remanded in custody on Thursday by the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly failing to declare $90,000 cash in his possession to the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS). The court ordered Shaw’s detention in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) following his arraignment.
Shaw was accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of violating the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022. The offence occurred during the inward clearance process at Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, where he was bound for Sierra Leone.
According to the prosecution, led by Okezie Chineye, Shaw’s failure to declare the large sum of money contravened the law. The judge, Justice Dipeolu, decided to keep the defendant behind bars while the case continues to unfold.
Shaw pleaded not guilty to the charges, maintaining that he was unaware of the legal requirement to declare such funds. His legal team, led by defence counsel Victor Chinedu, argued that they were not properly prepared for trial, as Shaw had only received the charges that morning.
Despite the defense’s objection, Justice Dipeolu decided to adjourn the trial until April 15, 2025. The Sierra Leonean national remains in custody at a correctional centre as the case moves forward.
The EFCC continues to stress the importance of following customs regulations, particularly when dealing with large sums of money. Shaw’s case highlights ongoing efforts to tackle money laundering and smuggling activities at Nigerian airports.
