The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into Phil-Olumba Ifunaya Sheila, who was arrested by Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officials at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, for allegedly failing to declare large amounts of foreign currency.
Sheila was intercepted on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, while preparing to board a flight to the United Kingdom. During initial questioning, she claimed to be carrying only $4,000. However, a thorough search revealed that she was in possession of $14,567, £1,030, and CA$40—all undeclared.
In a statement issued Thursday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed that the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 is now handling the investigation.
In a related development, the EFCC also said it is investigating a suspicious parcel intercepted by Customs and Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) officials. The package was found to contain Zimbabwean dollars worth ZW$101 trillion (approximately ₦426.09 billion) and 41.64 million Vietnamese Dong (about ₦95,746).
E.J. Harrison, Customs Area Comptroller at the airport, handed over both the suspect and the intercepted parcel to EFCC operatives. “We have two significant interceptions—one involving a passenger and another a parcel flagged during a routine check at NIPOST. This underscores our commitment to halting the flow of suspicious funds into Nigeria,” he said.
Receiving the suspect, EFCC representative M.A. Timta, who stood in for acting Zonal Director Ahmed Ghali, pledged swift and thorough investigations. He praised Customs officers for their vigilance and reiterated the EFCC’s commitment to combating economic crimes in partnership with other agencies.