Money laundering: South African lady to forfeit $374,355.00 to Nigeria govt

Justice C.M.A Olatoregun of the Federal High Court on Friday convicted a South African, Ngqula Nosisi Pam, for money laundering and bulk cash smuggling.

Ms. Ngqula Nosisi Pam (middle)

The convict was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 1, 2016 after her arrest at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

The convict had earlier pleaded ‘not guilty’, but changed her plea to ‘guilty’ and was consequently convicted by the court.

Justice Olatoregun ordered that the convict forfeit the entire sum of $374,355.00 to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The Judge also ordered the EFCC to remit the money to the Federal Government Account within 29 days and file notice of remittance at the court.

Justice Olatoregun admonished the convict to shun illegality in the future.

The one count charge reads: “That you Ngqula Nosisi Pam on or about March 24, 2015 at Murtala Muhammed International Airport within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court had in possession, cash in the sum of $374,355.00, which you transported from the Republic of South Africa to Lagos and failed to declare the sum of $374,355.00 to the officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service as required under the provisions of section 2(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended by Act No. 1 of 2012 and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 2(5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended by Act No. 1 of 2012.”