Lagos Court jails man caught with $578,000, after collapsing in court

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced Okorie Sylvernus Sunday to six months in prison for money laundering after he was caught at Murtala Muhammed International Airport with $578,000 in undeclared cash.

Justice Deinde I. Dipeolu delivered the ruling on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, convicting Sunday after he dramatically slumped in court while attempting to change his plea from “not guilty” to “guilty.”

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) had arrested Sunday at the airport for failing to declare $299,000 concealed in relaxer containers. He initially declared only $279,000, but a thorough search exposed hidden cash, including counterfeit bills totaling $299,000 and €100.

Following his arrest, he was handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.

During the trial, the prosecution revealed that Sunday claimed the money was given to him by friends in South Africa for a bureau de change operator in Ikeja, Lagos. However, he failed to declare the full sum as required by law.

In a dramatic twist, Sunday collapsed in court mid-proceedings, prompting urgent medical attention before the case resumed. Upon recovering, he pleaded guilty to two counts of money laundering.

Justice Dipeolu sentenced him to six months in prison and ordered the forfeiture of the undeclared $299,000 and €100 to the Nigerian government.