The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into Rajesh Kumar, an Indian national, who was arrested for attempting to travel out of Nigeria with undeclared foreign currency amounting to $29,000.
Kumar was apprehended on Monday, July 8, 2025, by officers of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while trying to board an Emirates Airline flight to India. Upon discovery of the funds, which exceeded the legally allowed cash limit for international travelers, Customs officials handed the suspect over to the EFCC for further investigation.
According to EFCC sources, the amount violated Section 2(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which requires travelers to declare any cash or negotiable instruments exceeding $10,000 (or its equivalent) at the point of entry or exit from Nigeria.
“The suspect failed to disclose the amount in his possession as mandated by law,” the EFCC said in a statement. “He is currently assisting the Commission with useful information as part of ongoing investigations to determine the source, purpose, and possible laundering trail of the funds.”
The Commission stated that the case underscores its commitment to enforcing Nigeria’s anti-money laundering regulations and collaborating with other law enforcement agencies to curb illicit financial flows.
Kumar is expected to face charges upon conclusion of investigations if found culpable. The EFCC also reiterated that travelers must comply with the nation’s financial disclosure requirements to avoid arrest and prosecution.
The case forms part of a broader inter-agency effort to tighten border security and monitor financial crimes at Nigeria’s entry and exit points.
