Tension In Onitsha
as EFCC Storms International Market; Seizes Dollars From Traders
27th September 2015
There is tension in Onitsha Main
Market, Anambra state as operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) stormed the market after arresting seven traders at the Enugu
International Airport for alleged money laundering.
Sunday Sun gathered that the development sparked fears especially among importers
and operators of Bureau de Change in the market.
A source said the arrested traders who were traveling either to China or Dubai
were carrying with them dollars more than the stipulated approved amount for
those traveling outside Nigeria, adding that some had $100,000, while others
were in possession of $60,000. The officially allowed maximum travel allowance
is $5000.
The source said that upon interrogation,
the traders were said to have mentioned where they purchased the foreign
currency in the market, hence the visit of the EFCC operatives to the Main
Market to arrest the dealers.
·
It was also gathered that few weeks ago, it was gathered that
the EFCC operatives at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, arrested some
traders for allegedly being in illegal possession of foreign currency above
the stipulated amount.
·
Chairman of the Onitsha Main Market Traders Union (OMMATU),
Chief Innocent Agudiegwu who confirmed the incident, said that the traders were
arrested at the airport and brought to the market where it was ascertained that
they were genuine traders and not money launderers.
·
He said seven traders were involved from different markets in
Onitsha who were also confirmed to be shop owners and genuine importers,
traveling to buy goods.
·
Agudiegwu noted that they were not detained but their dollars
and international passports were seized. He called on the EFCC to hasten the
investigation and release the money and the passports to their owners.
·
confiscated 23 empty barges reportedly used for illegal oil
deals.
·
According to the commander of OPS, Major-General Alani
Okunola, the products and the barges were seized during an anti-illegal oil
bunkering operation at Tamunotonye Ama village in Ogu Bolo Local Government
Area, Rivers State.
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