In a dramatic turn of events, the Federal High Court in Kano has sentenced a woman, Hauwa Abdullahi Ibrahim, to prison for smuggling an undeclared sum of $1,154,900 and 136,000 Saudi Riyals into Nigeria from Saudi Arabia.
The conviction was secured by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kano Zonal Directorate, after Ibrahim pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of money laundering before Justice S. M. Shuaibu.
According to a statement by EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, Ibrahim was arrested by Nigeria Customs Service officers at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport when she failed to declare the staggering sum of money as required by law. Following her arrest, customs officials handed her over to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.
The EFCC swiftly charged Ibrahim in court under Section 3(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. During her arraignment, she pleaded guilty to both counts.
“In view of her plea, prosecution counsel Musa Isah reviewed the case facts, presented evidence—including the undeclared cash—and urged the court to convict her accordingly,” Oyewale said.
However, before sentencing, Justice Shuaibu allowed an allocutus, giving Ibrahim a chance to tell her side of the story.
She claimed she was deceived by a man named Nafiu in Saudi Arabia, who had allegedly asked her to transport a box to Nigeria. According to her, he assured her the box contained dates and a small amount of cash. She further revealed that Nafiu had given her the contact number of a woman in Kano who was to collect the box upon her arrival.
Upon landing, Ibrahim said she called the woman, who came and took the box. However, shortly after leaving the airport, she was summoned back by authorities and was asked to bring her passport to clear the box, since she had brought it into the country.
It was at this point that the reality of the situation dawned on her—the box contained a massive stash of undeclared cash. She pleaded for mercy, insisting that she was unaware of its contents and had merely acted in good faith.
Despite her plea, Justice Shuaibu found her guilty as charged. In addition to her conviction, the court ordered that the smuggled funds be forfeited to the Federal Government in line with Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences of money laundering and the importance of adhering to financial disclosure laws. The EFCC continues its crackdown on illicit financial activities, ensuring that offenders face the full weight of the law.
PIONEER NEWS 