A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced one Okorie Sunday Silvanus to six months imprisonment.
Sunday Silvanus was intercepted by the Nigerian Customs at the Lagos Airport for laundering the sum of $299,000 and €100.
Sunday, who was arraigned on 26th March, 2025, collapsed in the dock before his plea was taken.
He pleaded guilty to the two count charge of money laundering and the judge ordered the forfeiture of the sum of $299,000, and €100, which was intercepted by the Nigerian Customs Service, at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, on March 19, to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The EFCC witnesses from the Nigerian Customs Service, Nanaowe Tonbo, narrated how Okorie approached the declaration desk and was asked to declare what he had in his luggage.
“My names are Nanaowe Tonbo. I work with the Nigerian Customs Service under anti money laundering section in MMA Lagos.
“On the 19th of March, 2025, at about 9 to 10pm, Mr Sunday Okorie, approached the declaration desk and was asked what he had on him. He only declared $225,000 dollars.
“However, we were not convinced about what he said. We went on a thorough search because he was carrying four bags. We discovered various amount of money in dollars. We discovered that $299,000 out $578,000 United States dollars was not declared.”
The EFCC operative also gave evidence on how Customs handed over Okorie and the cash exhibits to the EFCC for further investigation.
“My name are Filicia Paul, I’m an operative of EFCC. On the of March 21, 2025, the Nigerian Customs Service handed over the defendant to the EFCC,” she said.