The Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned one Ahmed Shaw before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, over alleged money laundering involving the non-declaration of $90,000.
Shaw was initially arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on 3 March 2025 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, for failing to declare the said amount.
He was subsequently handed over to the EFCC for further investigation.The defendant was first arraigned on 3 April 2025 on a one-count charge bordering on money laundering.
The charge reads: “That you, Alhaji Ahmed Shaw, on the 3rd day of March 2025 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, failed to make a declaration of the sum of $90,000 to the Nigeria Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.”
Shaw initially pleaded “not guilty” to the charge. During the 15 April 2025 hearing, the prosecution presented its first witness, Danladi Ibrahim, an NDLEA operative.
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However, at the resumed sitting on 2 May 2025, the defence counsel, E.I. Ogundeji, informed the court that the defendant intended to change his plea.
Consequently, Shaw was re-arraigned and pleaded “guilty” to the charge.Following his new plea, prosecution counsel Z.B. Atiku called EFCC operative Aminu Lawal to review the facts of the case.
Led in evidence, Lawal confirmed that Shaw had failed to declare the $90,000 at the point of departure.
He stated that the defendant’s statement had been taken under caution and that Shaw admitted to the offence.
The prosecution tendered the defendant’s statement, the NDLEA’s handover note, the arresting officer’s statement, and the recovered $90,000 as exhibits.
Justice Dipeolu adjourned the matter until 6 May 2025 for judgement.
