“The CBN notes with concern the increasing trafficking of huge sums of foreign currency across our borders,” the apex bank said in a statement issued on Sunday.
“This practice is in defiance of the extant dictates of Section 2, Sub-section 3 to Sub-section 5 of the amended Money Laundering Prohibition Act of 2011,’’ the statement signed by Mr Ibrahim Mu’azu, the Director of Corporate Communications of the bank.
The CBN insisted that transportation of cash or negotiable instruments in excess of 10,000 dollars or its equivalent by individuals in or out of the country should be declared to the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS). It added that the NCS should report any declaration made pursuant to Sub-section 3 to CBN.
It also said anybody that failed to make appropriate declaration might forfeit the undeclared funds or negotiable instruments or risk imprisonment of not less than two years or to both.
“The CBN will investigate the source of fund and seek justification for the possession of such volume of cash to ensure that no money laundering activity was involved.
“Those affected will also be expected to provide evidence of payment of taxes and duties related to the cash transaction,’’ the statement quoted CBN as saying.
