The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Muritala Muhammed Airport Command had on Wednesday intercepted a Nigerian Professor, carrying $1.1 million on his way to Kenya at the international wing of the Lagos Airport.
The passenger, identified as Professor Ofoegbu Charles Ononuju who was travelling with a passport bearing the registration number A04008969, allegedly claimed to be the director of AZ Petroleum.
The Customs Area Comptroller at the airport, Charles Edike, told newsmen in Lagos that the Professor had been handed to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigations.
He said that although the Professor declared the money to customs officers at the airport, “the source of the money was not clear.
“He claimed to be the director of a company, AZ Petroleum. He said he was carrying the money to Kenya to settle a dispute with a community over oil blocks.
“We were not comfortable with what he said, we have handed him over to the EFCC.”
Edike further explained that, in 2012, the Nigeria Customs Service, MMIA Command, intercepted over $12.1 million from 14 persons who tried to take money out of the country in contravention of extant regulations.
Mr. Edike said the command generated N35 billion in 2012 as against N34 billion in 2011.
“Although we had more cargos in 2011, we generated more revenue in 2012,” he said.
“This was based on our insistence that every waybill must be accounted for.”
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