Man jailed for failing to declare ₦653m foreign currency at Kano airport

Summary

• Salisu Ahmad sentenced by Federal High Court in Kano for undeclared foreign cash
• ₦653m worth of foreign currencies hidden in luggage seized by customs officers
• Entire amount forfeited to the Nigerian government; accomplices also arrested

Kano, Nigeria — The Federal High Court in Kano has sentenced Salisu Ahmad to prison for failing to declare foreign currency totalling ₦653 million, in violation of Nigeria’s money laundering laws.

The judgement was delivered by Justice S.M. Shuaibu, following Ahmad’s arrest at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on July 7, 2025.

Ahmad, who arrived from Saudi Arabia aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940, was apprehended during a routine baggage inspection by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service.

The search revealed large sums of undeclared foreign currency, including $420,900, £5,825, CFA3,946,500 (West African CFA), and CFA224,000 (Cameroonian CFA), concealed in polythene bags wrapped in cloth and hidden in his luggage.

He pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of non-declaration of funds, contravening Sections 3(3) and 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted the case, and the court ordered that the entire amount be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Ahmad told the court that he was carrying the money on behalf of his brother, Auwal Ahmad, who resides in Saudi Arabia. He claimed the funds were meant for two recipients in Nigeria, Yusuf Adamu and Abdulhamid Rabiu — who were subsequently arrested as they attempted to collect the money.