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.
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.
- Sun News
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