EFCC Lagos trial sees two witnesses testify against Sheila over undeclared foreign currency at Lagos airport.
EFCC Lagos trial of Phil-Olumba Ifunanya Sheila took a new turn on Wednesday, 14 August 2025, as two prosecution witnesses testified before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi.
Sheila was intercepted by Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officers on 22 July 2025 at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, during a routine inward clearance from the United Kingdom. She was found carrying $14,567, £1,030 and CA$40 but allegedly declared only $4,000.
The NCS handed her over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation, leading to her arraignment on 24 July 2025 on a three-count charge of failure to declare the full amounts. She pleaded not guilty.
At the resumed sitting, First Prosecution Witness, Sandra John Ogar, an NCS officer, told the court the defendant under-declared her cash holdings and was arrested on the spot. Second Prosecution Witness, Felicia Paul, an EFCC investigating officer, confirmed receiving the suspect and taking her statement.
When the prosecution counsel, Chineye Okezie, sought to tender Sheila’s statement, defence counsel, Edwin Anikwem, objected, claiming it was not made voluntarily and without a lawyer present.
Justice Dipeolu adjourned the matter to 19 August 2025 for further hearing and ordered Sheila to remain in a correctional centre pending trial.
The EFCC reiterated its commitment to enforcing Nigeria’s currency declaration laws and prosecuting offenders to safeguard the nation’s financial system.
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