The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has said it has intercepted a man carrying US$2,198,900 at the domestic wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos.
In a statement Wednesday, the agency said that one John Ibiteye, 46, is being investigated in connection with the suspected money laundering case.
The
suspect was apprehended on his way to Abuja, the NDLEA said.
“Preliminary
investigation conducted by the Assets and Financial Investigation Directorate
of the NDLEA revealed that Ibiteye’s action is in contravention of the money
laundering prohibition act 2011 as amended,” the anti-narcotics agency said in
the statement by Mitchell Ofoyeju, its Spokesperson.
“He
alleged that the money belongs to one Dr. Martins Olufemi Thomas, a medical
practitioner in Lagos. Investigation conducted by the Agency did not link the
money to proceeds of narcotics.
“However,
a country having insurgency challenge cannot afford to ignore suspicious
movement of large amount of money.”
In
his statement, Mr. Ibiteye said that he is a Bureau De Change operator.
“I
used to work for Ebi Bureau De Change at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),
Abuja before I established my company with the name ND&C Global Investment
Limited which is yet to be fully registered with the Corporate Affairs
Commission (CAC),” he said.
“One
of my clients, Dr. Martins Olufemi Thomas gave me the said amount to take to
Abuja. I was arrested by NDLEA officers while checking-in the money at MM2 on
my way to Abuja.”
Ahmadu
Giade, NDLEA Chairman, said that the suspect and the cash would be transferred
to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further action.
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