Sierra Leonean arraigned in Lagos for failing to declare $90,000

A Sierra Leonean national, Alhaji Ahmed Shaw, has been arraigned before Justice D.I. Dipeolu at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, for allegedly failing to declare $90,000 to the Nigeria Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

Shaw was apprehended by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on March 3, 2025, at the Lagos airport for allegedly attempting to leave the country without disclosing the funds, as required by law.

Following preliminary investigations, he was transferred to the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on March 5, 2025, for further action.

On Thursday, April 3, the EFCC arraigned Shaw on a one-count charge bordering on money laundering. The charge alleges that he failed to declare the $90,000—an act deemed an offence under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.

The charge reads: “That you, ALHAJI AHMED SHAW, on the 3rd day of March, 2025 in Lagos , within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, failed to make a declaration of the sum of $90,000 (Ninety Thousand United States of America Dollars) to the Nigeria Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, keja, Lagos and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.”;

Shaw pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Following his plea, EFCC counsel C.C. Okezie requested a trial date and that the defendant be remanded in custody pending trial.

Justice Dipeolu granted the application, ordered Shaw's remand at a correctional facility, and adjourned the matter until April 15, 2025, for commencement of trial.