A businessman, Okorie Sunday, who was arrested at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, with $578000 in cash, collapsed in court on Wednesday during his trial.
The Nigerian Customs Service apprehended Okorie on March 19, 2025, as he arrived from Johannesburg aboard a South African Airways flight and brought him before the Federal High Court, Lagos, for trial at 8:30 a.m.
As the court registrar prepared to re-read the charges to him, he suddenly slumped and collapsed in the dock. His wife and daughter, who were present in court, burst into tears as officials rushed to assist him. They subsequently took him to the hospital for medical attention, and the court put the proceedings on hold.
A day earlier, on March 25, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Okorie before Justice Deinde Dipeolu on four counts of alleged money laundering and currency smuggling.
He initially pleaded not guilty, and the court remanded him in custody, scheduling his trial for Wednesday.
However, at the resumed hearing, Okorie’s counsel, Uche Okoronkwo, informed the court of his client’s intention to change his plea from not guilty to guilty. EFCC’s counsel, Chineye Okezie, confirmed the defendant’s decision and requested the withdrawal of counts three and four. Justice Dipeolu granted the request, leaving only counts one and two.
Just as the registrar asked Okorie if he understood English before re-reading the charges, he collapsed, halting proceedings.
The Nigerian Customs Service had intercepted Okorie at the airport’s currency declaration desk, where he declared only $279,000.
However, a routine search uncovered an additional $299,000 concealed in various packages, bringing the total to $578,000. Officials also recovered €100 and a counterfeit $250 note among the undeclared cash.
According to the EFCC, the alleged offences violate Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and Sections 3(1)(a), 5(1)(b), and (2) of the Counterfeit Currency (Special Provisions) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The case is expected to resume once the defendant’s health stabilizes.
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