By Kingsley Nwezeh
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it has commenced the investigation of two Lebanese, Dina Jihad Khali and Chamseddine Waell Mohmmed, who were arrested by officers of the Customs Area Command, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for attempting to smuggle a total sum of $890,000 out of Nigeria through the Port Harcourt International Airport.
A statement by the anti-graft agency said the suspects were arrested yesterday and handed over to the Port Harcourt Zonal office of the EFCC for further investigation.
Speaking while handing over the two suspects, Customs Area Controller,
A.B Mohammed Olayinka, disclosed that Khali with Passport Number LR152975 (Republic of Lebanon) was arrested with $670,000 while Mohammed with Passport Number LR0356598 (Republic of Lebanon) had $220,000. They were both arrested while trying to board a flight to Lebanon.
He further disclosed that the money recovered from the suspects, which they failed to declare to customs was deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Rivers State Branch, for safe keeping.
Principal Detective Superinten-dent Macaulay Olayinka, who received the suspects on behalf of the zonal head thanked officers of the Customs Area Command for the synergy that exists between the command and the EFCC.
He assured that investigation will commence in earnest, adding that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.
