On Wednesday, Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos directed a traveler bound for the United States, Olusola Okunfulure, to surrender the $20,000 seized by the Nigerian Customs Service to the federal government.
On March 28, 2025, Okunfulure was apprehended by NCS officers when he arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. This occurred during the passenger inspection process for an inbound trip to the United States, as he had failed to report carrying $20,000.
Judge Dipeolu issued the forfeiture ruling following Okunfulure’s appearance before the court due to charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The prosecutor from the EFCC, Chineye Okezie, informed the court that Okunfulure perpetrated this offense on March 28, 2025.
Nevertheless, Okunfulure admitted guilt to the single charge.
After his statement, defense attorney Joel Ogundire spoke on Okunfulure’s behalf, requesting the court to blend leniency with justice and to return some of the funds to the defendant.
Ogundire stated: "For over 15 years, he has been a devoted family member. His banking records indicate that he is involved in a lawful enterprise. After being cleared, he was presented with the declaration form."
We have no objection to losing $20,000 out of the $30,000 as required by law.
During the review of the case, the judge asked the EFCC to submit its evidence against Okunfulure. An EFCC representative, Felicia Paul, presented their findings and stated, "I am aware of the defendant. The Nigerian Customs Service apprehended him at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on March 28 as he was heading to America."
He was apprehended with $30,000, an amount he neglected to report. He was then transferred to the commission along with the same sum of $30,000.
Supporting the EFCC’s case, Justice Dipeolu found Okunfulure guilty and ordered three months of incarceration.
Nevertheless, the judge gave back $10,000 to him.
I have taken into account the appeal presented by the prisoner along with the acknowledgment of his respect for the court’s time and consideration of various extenuating circumstances.
"I hereby direct the convicted individual to surrender the amount of $20,000 to the Federal Government of Nigeria and serve a prison term of three months," stated Justice Dipeolu.
According to the charges filed by the EFCC, the convicted individual did not declare an amount of $20,000 out of $30,000 to the Nigerian Customs Service when going through Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja.
The anti-corruption authority informed the court that the offense violated and was subject to punishment under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
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