Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Federal high court orders forfeiture of $20,000 from traveler for customs violation

POSTED ON April 3, 2025 •   LOCAL NEWS      BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara
Dollar to illustrate the forfeited $20,000 to NCS

LAGOS, Nigeria - A Federal High Court in Lagos has mandated the forfeiture of $20,000 seized by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) from a traveler bound for the United States, Olusola Okunfulure, to the Federal Government.

Okunfulure was apprehended by NCS officials on March 28, 2025, during the customs clearance of passengers from a flight heading to the U.S. at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, due to his failure to declare the funds.

Justice Dehinde Dipeolu issued the forfeiture ruling during Okunfulure's prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC, represented by counsel Chineye Okezie, who was assisted by Felicia Paul, presented a one-count charge against Okunfulure.

He admitted guilt to the charge, but after his plea, his defense attorney, Joel Ogundire, made a plea for leniency on behalf of Okunfulure, requesting that some of the seized money be returned to him.

Ogundire stated, “He has been a family man for over 15 years. His bank records clearly indicate that he is engaged in legitimate business. He was presented with the declaration form after being cleared. We have no objection to forfeiting $20,000 out of the $30,000 as required by law.”

Upon reviewing the case, the judge asked the EFCC to provide evidence against the defendant. Paul, while detailing the EFCC's findings, confirmed her familiarity with the defendant.

She stated: “On March 28, the Nigeria Customs Service apprehended the defendant at Murtala Muhammed International Airport while he was on his way to America.

He possessed $30,000 that he did not declare. He was transferred to the Commission with the entire amount of $30,000.”

Justice Dipeolu upheld the EFCC’s case and found Okunfulure guilty, sentencing him to three months in prison. The judge ordered that $10,000 be returned to the defendant, explaining: “I have taken into account the convict’s plea as well as the fact that he did not delay the court proceedings and all mitigating factors; therefore, I order the forfeiture of $20,000 to the Federal Government of Nigeria and impose a three-month imprisonment sentence on him.”

READ ALSO
Twelve die in Thailand-Cambodia clashes
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 25, 2025 0

Fighting between Thai and Cambodian forces along their contested border has led to at least 12 fatal...

READ ALSO
LASG Announces Five Major Road Projects in Alimosho to Be Completed by 2025
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 24, 2025 0

The Lagos State Government has revealed that five significant road projects in the Alimosho Local Go...

READ ALSO
Two Businessmen Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Cybercrime
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 23, 2025 0

A Federal High Court located in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced two businesspersons, Emmanuel Nwanze and...

READ ALSO
Nigeria Police Force Dismantles Notorious Arms Supply Network Linked to Bandits
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 23, 2025 0

The Nigeria Police Force has successfully intercepted a notorious arms supply network linked to armi...

READ ALSO
Lagos State Mobile Court Prosecutes Five for Illegal Waste Disposal
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 23, 2025 0

At least five individuals have been brought before a mobile court in the Bolade area of Oshodi, Lago...

READ ALSO
Federal High Court Discharges Female Drug Offender on Compassionate Grounds
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 23, 2025 0

Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday issued a caution and discharged...

READ ALSO
Military Jet Crash at Dhaka School Claims 31 Lives, Sparks Nationwide Outrage
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 23, 2025 0

Dhaka, Bangladesh – Grief and anger swept across Bangladesh following the tragic crash of a mi...

READ ALSO
UK Sentenced Traffic Robber to 24 Years for Killing Footballer
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 23, 2025 0

A court in the United Kingdom has sentenced 27-year-old Oguzcan Dereli to 24 years in prison for the...

OUR CHANNELS:

PDP Shifts National Convention to November, Picks Ibadan Amid Internal Power Struggle
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 25, 2025 0

Abuja, Nigeria  – The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has announced the postpo...


APC Appoints Yilwatda Nentawe as Chairman, Declares 2027 a ‘Done Deal
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 25, 2025 0

Abuja, Nigeria – The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC)...


Osun APC, PDP Clash Over Governor Adeleke's Failed Defection Attempt
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 25, 2025 0

The Osun State branches of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Par...


Court Reinstates Benue CJ, Criticizes Alia
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 25, 2025 0

The National Industrial Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, ruled that the Benue State House of Assembly's...


LASG Announces Five Major Road Projects in Alimosho to Be Completed by 2025
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 24, 2025 0

The Lagos State Government has revealed that five significant road projects in the Alimosho Local Go...


Electricity Tariffs: Power Firms Push Back Against State Negotiations
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 25, 2025 0

On Wednesday, energy commissioners from all 36 states announced their willingness to engage with pow...


Two Businessmen Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Cybercrime
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 25, 2025 0

A Federal High Court located in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced two businesspersons, Emmanuel Nwanze and...


Nigeria Police Force Dismantles Notorious Arms Supply Network Linked to Bandits
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 23, 2025 0

The Nigeria Police Force has successfully intercepted a notorious arms supply network linked to armi...


Maduka Okoye Suspended for Two Months Amid Betting Scandal
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 25, 2025 0

Udinese and Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has received a two-month suspension from the Italian Fo...


APC's National Assembly Power Grows to 70 with PDP Senator Defections
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 24, 2025 0

The number of All Progressives Congress (APC) senators in the National Assembly increased to 70 on W...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu