The Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has presented two prosecution witnesses in the ongoing trial of Phil-Olumba Ifunanya Sheila, accused of failing to declare foreign currencies in her possession at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
Sheila was intercepted on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, by Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officers during inward clearance from the United Kingdom. According to the NCS, she declared only $4,000, despite carrying $14,567, £1,030, and CA$40. She was subsequently handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and arraigned on July 24, 2025, before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, on a three-count charge to which she pleaded not guilty.
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, August 14, 2025, the first prosecution witness, NCS officer Sandra John Ogar, told the court that the defendant was found with undeclared sums during routine checks and was immediately transferred to the EFCC.
The second witness, EFCC investigator Felicia Paul, testified that the defendant was interrogated and offered to make a written statement. The prosecution sought to tender the statement in evidence, but defence counsel, Edwin Anikwem, objected, arguing it was not obtained voluntarily or in the presence of legal representation.
Justice Dipeolu adjourned the matter to August 19, 2025, for further hearing and ordered that Sheila be remanded in a correctional facility pending trial.
