The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced an investigation of a suspect over alleged failure to declare the sums of foreign currency in her possession at the Lagos Airport.

The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Oyewale explained that the suspect, Sheila Phil-Olumba, arrested by the Nigeria Customs Service, was found in possession of $14,567, £1,030, and 40 CAD.

He said the suspect, who was scheduled to travel to the United Kingdom, had earlier claimed she had only $4,000 on her.

According to him, Ms Sheila was intercepted by operatives of the NCS during a routine check on Tuesday.

Mr Oyewale said that in a related development, the EFCC had also begun an investigation of a parcel containing 101 trillion Zimbabwean dollars and 41.6 million Vietnamese dong, which was intercepted by officials of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) and operatives of the NCS.

He said that during the handing over of the suspect and the various foreign currencies, the area comptroller in charge of the NCS at the airport, E.J. Harrison, commended the vigilance and dedication of the NCS and the NIPOST’s officials.

The acting zonal director of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, EFCC, Ahmed Ghali, received the suspect and the money contained in the intercepted parcel.

He assured that the EFCC would expedite action on the investigation and prosecution of the suspect.

Mr Ghali, represented by M.A. Timta, an operative of the Lagos Zonal Directorate, commended the NCS for its sustained efforts in tackling illegal financial activities in the country.

(NAN)