EFCC arrests Lebanese citizen Abbas Lakis with $2m in cash at Abuja international airport

ECONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Lebanese citizen Abbas Lakis with $2m cash at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and could prosecute him for money laundering.

EFCC spokesman Tony Orilade, said Mr Lakis was intercepted following an intelligence report that he had the cash on him. Apparently, the intelligence report indicated that the undeclared huge sums of monies were aboard the Egypt Airline bringing him from  Kano Airport en route Lebanon.

Mr Orilade said: “At the point of arrest, a thorough search on his luggage uncovered $2,104,936, £163, 740, and €144,680.  Other currencies found with Lakis include Riyal 391, CHF 3,420, Lira 435, £109,000, Dirhams 10,135,  ¥10,000 and Riyal10, in his possession and he will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”

Also, the EFCC has arraigned one Bello Na’ Allah Yabo, a deputy director of accounts in the  Ministry of Police Affairs, before Justice AI Ogunmoye of the state high court in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State. He was arraigned on 13-count charges bordering on conspiracy, fraudulent diversion of funds and money laundering to the tune of N145,342,063.

“Yabo is facing trial alongside his company, Imrana Ventures, for allegedly using his position as a former pay officer, Nigeria Police Force, Ekiti State, in 2015 to divert to his personal use, money meant as the emoluments of police officers in the state. The defendant allegedly concealed the proceeds of crime through his company account domiciled in Unity Bank,” the EFCC added.