Alhaji Ahmed Shaw was re-arraigned before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on charges of money laundering. He was accused of failing to declare $90,000 when he arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on March 3, 2025.
Shaw initially pleaded not guilty but later changed his plea to guilty.The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented evidence, including Shaw’s statement and the seized $90,000. An EFCC operative, Aminu Lawal, testified that Shaw failed to declare the money and narrated the circumstances of his arrest.
The prosecution tendered the defendant’s statement, handover note from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and other documents as evidence.Shaw’s guilty plea was entered after he decided to change his initial not-guilty plea. The court heard the prosecution’s evidence and adjourned the matter until May 6, 2025, for judgment.
The EFCC’s investigation revealed that Shaw violated the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022, by failing to declare the $90,000 to the Nigeria Customs Service.
The court’s judgment will determine the outcome of the case. If convicted, Shaw may face penalties under the Money Laundering Act. The EFCC’s efforts to prosecute financial crimes demonstrate the agency’s commitment to enforcing Nigeria’s financial regulations.
