National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) officials have arrested a 52-year-old Nigerian woman of British extraction for alleged currency trafficking.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has revealed yesterday that it had apprehended a 52-year old Nigerian woman of British extraction over alleged currency trafficking.
The suspect identified as Olukoya Sarah Ogunade, was arrested while trying to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
During search, she was found with one hundred and fourteen thousand, two hundred and forty-five ($114,245) dollars and two thousand and twenty (€2,020) euros inside thirteen white envelopes in her luggage.
Mrs Victoria Egbase, NDLEA Director of Assets and Financial Investigations (DAFI), said that the suspect who was born to a Nigerian father and a Scottish mother and had both Nigerian and British international passports, was arrested on suspicion of currency trafficking.
"The suspect was found with $114,245 dollars and €2,020 euros that were not declared in accordance with the law at the airport," Victoria stated.
In a statement made voluntarily under caution, the suspect stated that the seized monies are her legitimate earnings. In her words;
"I am an Architect based in London. The money is part of rent paid to me by tenants in a property I inherited. It is also part of architectural and interior decoration work I did as well as loans from family members. I used to send money through the bank but the new regulation made me to carry cash. I intend to use the money to pay my children school fees and my medical bills."
Olukoya Sarah Ogunade did not provide documents and material evidence to substantiate her possession of the money found on her. This according to the Agency suggests currency trafficking.
Following the unsatisfactory explanation of the suspect, the Acting Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Mrs Roli Bode-George, has directed that the case be immediately transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and action.