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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎ In a strong determination to deepen her unwavering commitment to combat financial crimes, taking full advantage of the existing synergy between the Nigeria Customs Service and sister-agencies especially in the fight against financial crimes, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command, Tuesday, handed over seized undeclared foreign currencies to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). These are €651,505 and $800,575 in Euro and USD denominations respectively.
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‎Speaking while handing over the seized foreign currencies, the MMIA Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Chidi Nwokorie disclosed that the interception was made at about 1445 hrs on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Departure Terminal-1, when one Mr KAVLAK OENAL, an Austrian national with Passport No. AP0084116 was scheduled to travel on Emirate Airline to Dubai and was asked if he had any currency to declare but he said he had none.
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‎As part of ongoing efforts by the Customs to enforce customs regulations in  collaboration with law enforcement agencies, a search was conducted.

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‎”However, after conducting a search, the amount mentioned above was found in his travelling bag. This contravenes the extant laws that mandate all travellers (Inbound and Outbound) to declare foreign currencies or negotiable instruments above $10,000 threshold or its equivalent,” Comptroller Nwokorie said.
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‎”It’s worthy of note here that this interception aligns with the Laws and Acts which empower and confer on the Nigeria Customs Service the right to prevent illicit financial flows and ensure strict implementation of anti money laundering obligations at all borders, particularly, Section 12 of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provision) Act, 1995; Section 3 (3-5) of Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and Section 55 (1) of the NCS Act 2023″
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‎Talking about currencies on transit, he advised the general public to note that
‎ failure to declare, false declaration or under-declaration of the prescribed amount constitutes an offence under the law.
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‎”Therefore, I urge you, if you don’t have anything to hide and you’re into legitimate business and trade, make an honest and full declaration of your currency and other negotiable instruments that are above the threshold of $10,000 at the Currency Declaration Desks in the Arrival and Departure Halls of the Airport or risk being prosecuted and losing the money to the Federal Government.”
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‎”So, on behalf of the Nigeria Customs Service and with the kind permission of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, the said Passenger, Mr Kavlak OENAL, his International Passport and the undeclared currencies (€651,505 & $800, 575) found on him are hereby duly handed over to the Operatives of the Economic Financial Crime Commission for further necessary actions.”
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‎Comptroller Nwokorie offered special thanks to the CGC, Bashir  Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for his strong motivation.
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‎”My vigilant and gallant officers, especially those in AML/CFT Unit who resisted every temptation of compromise to intercept this money and make this press conference a reality today, you showed discipline! You showed professionalism! You showed integrity! The Command is proud of you! The CGC is proud of you! The Service is proud of you and Nigeria is indeed proud of you!”
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has been  described as a leader whose public life has continued to demonstrate courage, conviction and an unwavering sense of duty.
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‎The Chairman of Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL), High Chief (Dr.) Government Oweizide Ekpemuopolo stated this in a message to celebrate and honour the Minister who recently clocked 62. Tantita is the local security services outfit charged with the protection of oil and gas pipelines and other critical installations in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region.
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‎In a congratulatory message on behalf of  the leadership and entire staff of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), Ekpemuopulo recalled that Wike’s journey through public service marked by legal brilliance, political audacity and firm decision-making has consistently demonstrated that true leadership is defined by impact not rhetoric.
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‎ Wike’s formative years in public administration, he recalled, began when he became a local government chairman, Minister of State (Education) through to his tenure as Governor of Rivers State. Now he is the FCT Minister,Tompolo stated, his performance has remained sterling, anchored on results, resilience and a relentless commitment to public good.
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‎“In the Federal Capital Territory, your presence is already being massively felt. The renewed focus on infrastructure, order, and accountability speaks to a hands-on leadership style that understands Abuja’s symbolic and practical importance to Nigeria’s unity and governance,” Tompolo said.
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‎The TSSNL founder commended Wike for recognising the intrinsic connection between security, development and national stability, stressing that the minister’s insistence on law, order and institutional discipline aligns strongly with Tantita’s mission of protecting critical assets and fostering a safe environment for sustainable growth.
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‎He added that Wike’s reputation as “Mr. Project” was well-earned, given his consistent record of performance and the courage to take difficult decisions when duty demanded it.
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‎“In moments that demand firmness, you have chosen responsibility over convenience, standing by your convictions even when the path was difficult,” he said.
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‎Tompolo prayed for renewed strength, sharper vision and continued success for the minister as he marks another year, expressing confidence that Wike’s service would continue to leave a lasting imprint on national development.
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‎Tompolo added: “Please accept my sincere best wishes for good health, wisdom, and continued success. May the years ahead bring fulfilment and further contributions to the progress and unity of Nigeria.”
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎The Maritime Seminar for Judges annually hosted by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has been described as a conduit for financial and human waste and must be discontinued and scarce resources directed to profitable endeavours with direct bearing on the agency’s statutory mandate.
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‎National Coordinator of Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders, Importers and Exporters Coalition (SNFFIEC), Chief  Patrick Osita Chukwu stated this in Lagos, Tuesday.  He called on the  Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Barr. Pius Akutah to suspend what he referred to as a jamboree and, instead, free the  funds involved to train freight forwarders and other operators for enhanced operations in the shipping industry.
‎He said that appropriating huge funds to judicial seminars while neglecting her core mandate as the nation’s port economic regulator is improper on the part of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
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‎Organizing judicial seminars, he declared, falls under the purview of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), not the NSC. Chukwu warned that if the council goes ahead to plan for the Judge’s Seminar, going forward, SNFFIEC would seek legal interpretation as well as embarking on industrial action to insist that the right thing is done.
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‎He said: “Recall plans by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to continue hosting the annual Maritime Seminar for Judges. This is a waste of human and financial resources the agency would have used to take care of shippers and the ports.” Since becoming the economic regulator of the ports, he alleged, there have not been concrete actions by the agency to reposition the ports to make them as business – friendly as other ports across the globe.
‎”I say it that it is not only an economic waste but negates the principle of getting the right to things done for our ports and shippers. We have been trying our best to see that the trillions they are making in all Nigerian customs ports impact on the shippers. Transaction of business in Nigeria has remained so bad that whatever you’re seeing today is not what supposed to be.”
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‎The SNFFIEC boss said it is a huge challenge to his organization and others that the Council ‘s ES cannot be accessed because he hardly stays around to listen to genuine complaints by stakeholders who matter in the sector.
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‎”We are yet to feel the impact of the NSC’s regulatory role. Each time you visit the NSC, the Executive Secretary is not in the office. He’s always away, spending shippers’ money on training judges,” he said.
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‎”We need the NSC to resist whatever may be the pressure that will undermine the principle of accountability and all other actions that can jeopardize the economy by the way they are going.”
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‎”We have the National Judicial Council which can be very free and pragmatic enough to undertake seminars and training sessions for judges.”
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‎ SNFFIEC,  he indicated, considers sending a petition to the President, the National Assembly, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, and the Attorney General of the Federation on the need to probe  the activities and finances of the Shippers’ Council to ensure the proper things are done and accountability enthroned.
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‎Up to the time of going to press, efforts to obtain reactions from the Shippers’ Council yielded no fruits as calls to the Executive Secretary did not go through.
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