Customs arrest suspect with 2,886 ATM cards, transfers to EFCC for prosecution 

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

 The Nigerian Customs Service(NCS) has handed over the man arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos with 2,886 Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The Customs Legal Adviser, Mr Smart Akande stated that customs does not have the jurisdiction to prosecute but only to arrest, which it has done.

Briefing journalists, the Deputy Controller, MMIA command, Abdulmumin Bako, said that four Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards were also intercepted with the suspect.

He stated that the suspect, one lshaq Abubakar with Passport Number A08333717 from Kano State, was intercepted on his way out to Dubai through an Emirates flight which he had bought his evacuation flight ticket.

Bako said, “At about 11:45 hours on Aug. 22, at the departure hall gate ’B’ of the MMIA. Abubakar with Passport Number A08333717 from Kano State, travelling to Dubai via Emirates flight was intercepted with 2,886 ATM Cards of various banks and 4 sim cards by our officers on duty.

“The ATM cards and sim cards were carefully concealed in a noodles carton by the suspect.
“The suspect claimed that one Mr Musiliu was assigned to him to facilitate his movement through the checks at the airport, but due to the diligence of our Officers who insisted on conducting physical examination, revealed the concealment.”

He stated that the Comptroller General of Customs Harmed  Ali has directed that the suspect and the items be handed over to the EFCC for further investigation.

The legal adviser Akande noted that handing over the suspect to EFCC showcased the collaborative working relationship of the various government agencies.

He stated: “What we have here is the case file, ATM cards and the noodles used in concealing the ATM cards and we are handing them over to EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.”