Photo: Nigerian man arrested at Malawi airport for "attempting to externalize US$7,000"

The Malawi Police at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA), Lilongwe, on Monday afternoon May 8 arrested a 43-year old Nigerian national for attempting to externalise US$7,000 (MK5 million), which was hidden in his hand luggage.

KIA Spokesperson Sapulain Chitonde, identified the suspect as Egemonye Christian Chinedu, from Nnewi and holder of a Nigerian Passport number A05010761.

Chinedu was apprehended inside the Departures Lounge at around 13:00 hours, as he waited to board a Nigerian-bound Kenyan Airways flight.

Chitonde told The Maravi Post that the suspect was physically searched by Police Officers manning the check point, and the said amount of US$7,000, was discovered.

The KIA Spokesperson said the Nigerian failed to provide evidence from authorised Forex dealers, when he was asked to show supporting documents.

"To his defence, Chinedu said he got the money in Tete Mozambique, where he operates a clothing shop. He claimed that unspecified officers at the border (Mozambique, Malawi), told him not to worry about the cash. He said the advice made him to overlook the paperwork process, because it implied that there would be no problem to travel out with it.

"Currently, the suspect is in Police custody, and is expected to appear in court, to answer charges of illegal possession of foreign currency, and attempting to externalise forex. The police at KIA are appealing to the general public, to buy or exchange money, at designated foreign exchange facilities, to avoid similar incidents,”  Chitonde said.

The suspect Chinedu has been living in Tete, Mozambique, for the past three years.

Source: The Maravi Post