The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a man with the sum of $2,198,900 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos state.
The money was intercepted by the drug commission on the grounds of alleged money laundering at the local wing of the airport.
John Bamidele Ibitey, who is 46-year-old, was detained on his way to Abuja. The suspect is already being investigated in link with the case.
According to the first investigations Ibiteye’s move was in resistance of the money laundering law act 2011 as amended.
When questioned, Ibiteye supposed that the money belonged to one Martins Olufemi Thomas, a medical practitioner in Lagos.
While inquiry by the anti-narcotic agency did not link the money to proceeds of narcotics, it insisted that a country having terrorism challenge cannot afford to neglect suspicious movement of large amount of cash.
Accordingly, the chairman Ahmadu Giade, has ordered that the suspect and the evidence be moved to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further action.
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Giade said: “the outcome of preliminary investigation did not link the money to proceeds of narcotics. I have therefore directed that the suspect be transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further investigation.”
It should be noted that the establishment of the NDLEA by the promulgation of Decree Number 48 of 1989, now Act of Parliament, was aimed at exterminating illicit drug trafficking and consumption in the Nigerian society.
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