Kano Court jails duo over $86,500, foreign currency stash hidden in baggage

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of two men—Sale Bala and Abdullahi Tahir Hamisu—who attempted to smuggle a staggering sum of foreign currencies through Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, disguised as ordinary baggage contents.

The duo was sentenced by Justice S.M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Kano, after pleading guilty to a three-count charge of money laundering involving an eye-popping $86,500, 305,150 Saudi Riyals, 560,000 CFA, and 200 Euros—all undeclared.

The EFCC brought the charges under Section 3(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which criminalises the failure to declare monetary instruments above threshold amounts while travelling.

One of the charges stated: “That you, Sale Bala, Abdullahi Tahir Hamisu and Ibrahim Abubakar Saeed (now at large), on or about April 27, 2025, at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, failed to declare the sum of $86,500 to the Nigerian Customs Service, contrary to Section 3(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition Act), 2022.”

The case unfolded when Customs operatives intercepted Bala while he was clearing what was declared as “bedsheets.”

A thorough inspection revealed the concealed stash of hard currency.

During interrogation, Bala confessed that he was working on behalf of Hamisu, who was waiting to collect the consignment.

The moment Hamisu showed up to retrieve the suspicious baggage, he too was nabbed.

Following their arrest, the suspects were handed over to the EFCC, which prosecuted the case to its explosive conclusion.

Justice Shuaibu, after reviewing the evidence and guilty pleas, convicted both men and ordered the full forfeiture of the undeclared money to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

This conviction adds to the growing list of financial crime clampdowns by the EFCC as Nigeria intensifies its war against illicit cash flows and international money laundering.