April 03, (THEWILL) – A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the forfeiture of $20,000 confiscated from a U.S.-bound traveller, Olusola Okunfulure, to the Federal Government.
Justice Dehinde Dipeolu issued the forfeiture order after convicting Okunfulure on a one-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Felicia Paul, an EFCC operative, testified before the court that Okunfulure was apprehended by Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officials on March 28, 2025, while undergoing inward clearance for a flight to the United States at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. She stated that the defendant failed to declare the money in his possession as required by law.
“I know the defendant. On March 28, men of the Nigeria Customs Service arrested him at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on his way to America. He was found with $30,000, which he failed to declare. He was subsequently handed over to the Commission along with the cash,” Paul told the court.
Upon arraignment, Okunfulure pleaded guilty to the charge. His counsel, Joel Ogundire, pleaded for leniency, urging the court to consider his client’s family responsibilities and legitimate business dealings.
He also requested that part of the seized funds be returned to the defendant.
“He has been a family man for over 15 years. His bank records show he is engaged in a legitimate business. The declaration form was only shown to him after clearance. We are willing to forfeit $20,000 out of the $30,000 as required by law,” Ogundire argued.
After reviewing the case, Justice Dipeolu convicted Okunfulure and sentenced him to three months in prison.
“I have considered the plea of the convict, the fact that he did not waste the court’s time, and all mitigating factors. Accordingly, I order the forfeiture of $20,000 to the Federal Government and sentence the convict to three months’ imprisonment,” the judge ruled.
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