The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought to trial Okorie Sunday, a suspect apprehended at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on March 19, 2025, with a staggering $578,000 in cash.
The arrest has raised eyebrows, with the EFCC now prosecuting him on four serious charges related to money laundering and involvement in a counterfeiting operation.
In an eventful hearing before Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos, the defendant was presented with the charges, including failure to declare the full amount of money, which was allegedly hidden in various containers.
Despite his counsel, Uche Okoronkwo, requesting a delay in proceedings to consult with his client and examine the proof of evidence, the EFCC swiftly moved to proceed with the case.
The defense argued that they had received the charge sheet too late in the day, but the prosecution contended that the defense had ample time since the charges were served in the morning.
Justice Dipeolu, in an effort to allow the defense adequate time to confer with the defendant, adjourned the proceedings until 4 pm. Upon resumption, Okorie Sunday pleaded not guilty to all charges, including the serious offenses of concealing undeclared funds and attempting to smuggle counterfeit currency into Nigeria.
The prosecution, led by Chineye Okezie, insisted that the defendant be remanded at a correctional facility pending the continuation of the trial, emphasizing the urgency of the case and the presence of two key witnesses ready to testify. Meanwhile, the defense sought a more lenient remand in EFCC custody, a request which was swiftly denied by the court.
In a statement by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), the suspect had arrived in Lagos aboard South African Airways Flight SA60 from Johannesburg. Upon arriving at the airport, Okorie declared $279,000 at the currency declaration desk, but routine searches by customs officers uncovered an additional $299,000 stashed in Relaxer containers, bringing the total sum to a staggering $578,000. Authorities also discovered €100 and a counterfeit $250 bill among the undeclared funds.
Comptroller Effiong Harrison of the NCS emphasized that Okorie’s actions breached the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act of 2011, and the case was promptly handed over to the EFCC for further investigation. The EFCC also cited the vital role of cooperation between agencies in tackling financial crimes, highlighting the swift action of the Nigerian Customs Service in intercepting the suspect’s illicit activities.
The defendant, Okorie Sunday, faces serious charges under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, for failing to declare $299,000 and €100 at the airport, and the importation of counterfeit currency, including five fake $50 bills.
These offenses contravene both the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Counterfeit Currency (Special Provisions) Act, 2004, which carry severe penalties.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the large sum of money involved and the apparent sophisticated methods used to conceal the illicit funds.
As the legal battle unfolds, the EFCC remains committed to ensuring that financial crimes in Nigeria are met with swift and decisive justice.
The court has adjourned the case for further proceedings, with the next hearing scheduled for Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
