Nigerian Court Remands Sierra Leonean Man Over Unclear $90,000

By Bukola Kuteyi 

A Sierra Leonean man simply identified as Alahji Ahmed Shaw has been dragged to court by the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, over unclear whopping sum of $90,000

According to information, Ahmed Shaw was taken to court before Justice D.I. Dipeolu, at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, for allegedly failing to declare the sum of $90,000 to the Nigeria Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport

It was noted that the Sierra Leonean man attempted to flee the country without disclosing the funds, as required of him by law.

In an investigation conducted, it was revealed that he has been transferred to the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

In line with this, on April 3, EFCC arraigned Shaw on a one-count charge bordering on money laundering; he was alleged of failing to declare the amount $90,000, which is an act deemed as an offense under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.

“Operating within the jurisdiction of the Court, ALHAJI AHMED SHAW, on the 3rd day of March 2025 in Lagos, has failed to make a declaration of the sum of $90,000 (Ninety Thousand United States of America Dollars) to the Nigeria Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International AirportIkejaja, Lagos State.”

“ This act is interpreted as an offense, and it is contrary to and punishable under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.” The charge.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge, and the EFCC counsel, C.C. Okezie has requested a trial date and that he should be remanded in custody pending trial.

The presiding officer, Justice Dipeolu, granted the request and ordered that Shaw be remanded to a correctional facility.

Also, the case has been adjourned until April 15, 2025, for the commencement of another trial.