In a landmark judgment, a Kano State High Court has sentenced a woman to jail for attempting to smuggle over $1.15 million USD and nearly 136,000 Saudi Riyals into Nigeria without declaring the funds to the authorities.
The convicted individual, identified as Mrs. Amina Ibrahim, was apprehended at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport during routine screening of passengers on an international flight. The funds, concealed in her luggage, were discovered by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) officials in coordination with other security agencies.
The prosecution team presented strong evidence that Mrs. Ibrahim deliberately concealed the large sum of foreign currency, violating Nigeria’s money laundering and anti-smuggling laws. Under the provisions of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), individuals attempting to smuggle foreign currency in excess of the legally permissible limit are subject to severe legal penalties, including imprisonment.
Justice Musa Hassan, who presided over the case, sentenced Mrs. Ibrahim to 5 years in prison without the possibility of a fine or reduction in the sentence. The judgment underscores the Nigerian government’s commitment to combating financial crimes, particularly those linked to illicit financial flows and the smuggling of unreported funds into the country.
The Nigerian Customs Service has also issued a statement commending the efforts of the officers involved in the investigation and the arrest. The agency further reiterated its commitment to ensuring that Nigeria remains free from financial malpractices that threaten the stability of the country’s economy.
“This case is a reminder that Nigeria is serious about enforcing its laws and maintaining strict control over the movement of foreign currencies into and out of the country. The punishment for such offenses will serve as a deterrent to others who may contemplate engaging in similar illegal activities,” said the NCS spokesperson.