By Damilola Adeleke

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kano Zonal Directorate, has secured the conviction of Hauwa Abdullahi Ibrahim for smuggling undeclared foreign currency into Nigeria.

Ibrahim was arrested at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport by the Nigeria Customs Service for attempting to smuggle $1,154,900 and SDR135,900 Saudi Riyals from Saudi Arabia without declaring them as required by law. She was later handed over to the EFCC for investigation and prosecution.

She pleaded guilty to two counts of money laundering before Justice S. M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court in Kano. Following her plea, the prosecution presented evidence, including the undeclared money, leading to her conviction.

During the trial, Ibrahim claimed she was deceived into transporting the funds. According to her, a man named Nafiu in Saudi Arabia gave her a box, claiming it contained dates and a small amount of cash. She handed the box over to a contact in Kano upon arrival but was later recalled and arrested when airport authorities discovered the money inside.

Despite her plea for leniency, Justice Shuaibu ordered the forfeiture of the undeclared funds to the Federal Government in accordance with the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.