“Statement Admissibility Pending” — Court Adjourns Trial Of Phil-Olumba Ifunanya Sheila Over Undeclared Foreign Currency At Airport

The Federal High Court in Lagos has adjourned to August 19, 2025, the trial of Phil-Olumba Ifunanya Sheila, who is facing charges of making false declarations and failing to declare foreign currency to the Nigeria Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.

Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, sitting as vacation judge, fixed the new date after hearing testimony from two prosecution witnesses — a Nigeria Customs Service officer and an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC has accused Sheila of arriving from the United Kingdom on July 22, 2025, with undeclared sums totalling $14,567, £1,030, and CA$40. Prosecutors allege she declared only CA$4,000 to Customs despite being in possession of CA$14,000.

Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Okezie Chineye, Customs officer Mrs. Stella John Ogar told the court that Sheila was intercepted during inward clearance.

“We arrested her and handed her over to the EFCC for further investigation,” Ogar said.

The second prosecution witness, EFCC operative Felicia Paul, confirmed receiving the suspect from Customs and said Sheila volunteered to make a written statement. The EFCC attempted to tender the statement in evidence.

However, defence counsel Edwin Anikwem objected, arguing that the statement was not obtained voluntarily and without the presence of a lawyer, in breach of statutory requirements.

Justice Dipeolu adjourned the case to allow the court to continue hearing on the admissibility of the statement and other aspects of the prosecution’s evidence.

The EFCC’s three-count charge alleges that Sheila made false declarations regarding her possession of U.S. dollars and British pounds, and failed to declare Canadian dollars, contrary to Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Sheila pleaded not guilty and was remanded in the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending trial.

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