The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kano Zonal Directorate, has secured the conviction and sentencing of Sale Bala and Abdullahi Tahir Hamisu for failure to declare foreign currencies totalling $86,500, 305,150 Saudi Riyal, 560,000 CFA, and €200. The judgment was delivered by Justice S.M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Kano.
The duo pleaded guilty to a three-count charge bordering on money laundering, in violation of Section 3(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The undeclared funds were intercepted on April 27, 2025, at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport.
One of the charges stated that Bala, Hamisu, and an accomplice, Ibrahim Abubakar Saeed (currently at large), failed to declare the foreign currencies to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as mandated by law.
Prosecution counsel Musa Isah urged the court to convict the defendants following their guilty pleas. Justice Shuaibu found both men guilty on all counts and ordered the forfeiture of the seized funds to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Sale Bala was apprehended by NCS operatives while attempting to clear unaccompanied baggage falsely declared as “bedsheets.” Upon inspection, the concealed foreign currencies were discovered. Bala later admitted he was tasked with delivering the consignment to Abdullahi Tahir Hamisu, who was subsequently arrested upon attempting to collect the baggage.
Both men were handed over to the EFCC for investigation and prosecution, culminating in their conviction.
