EFCC intercepts $2.8m cash at airport

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intercepted $2.8 million (about N1.02 billion) cash at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu from two people suspected to be money launderers.

The suspects, Ighoh Augustine and Ezekwe Emmanuel, were said to be working for a company called Bankers Warehouse.

Besides the arrest, the EFCC is also tracking some politically exposed persons (PEPs) trying to move slush funds through Ghana, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for 2019 elections.

Some of the PEPs were said to have become desperate in selling slush-cash induced properties to finance their 2019 political ambitions.

According to a statement signed by the Acting Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Tony Orilade, the suspects were arrested in Enugu on Thursday.

The statement said: “The EFCC intercepted $2.8 million from two people suspected to be money launderers at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

“The suspects allegedly working for a company, Bankers Warehouse, were nabbed based on intelligence report.

“Upon their arrest, they were caught with consignments of two suitcases containing $1.4 million each, totalling $2.8 million, at the departure lounge of the airport while about to board an Arik Air evening flight to Lagos.

“During interrogation, the suspects confessed that they have been in the business of conveying cash for ‘some notable banks’ for over six years and were in the process of doing same for Union Bank Plc located at New Market, Onitsha, Anambra State, when they were caught.

“The suspects further confessed that they had so far carried out such assignments, ‘four times this year.’

“They are presently giving useful information to operatives of the Commission and will be charged to court soon.”

Meanwhile, the EFCC has started tracking some politically exposed persons (PEPs) who are trying to repatriate slush funds through Ghana, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates.

A top source in the anti-graft agency, who spoke in confidence, said: “We are really monitoring campaign finances. Some desperate ones, especially politically exposed persons who looted public resources in the past, are trying to repatriate the funds for campaign. Our interest is in recovering the looted cash.

“Some donors, who have been on our watch-list as suspected money launderers, are also being tracked. We want to reduce corruption and the use of public funds to fund political parties and finance elections.

“Based on intelligence, some of these politically exposed persons are trying to use Morocco, the United Arab Emirates and Ghana as transit routes.

“We will try to bring these criminal politicians to book in line with the relevant laws.”