A businessman, Okorie Sunday, who was arrested at Murtala Muhammed International Airport with $578,000 in cash, collapsed in court on Wednesday as proceedings began for his trial on money laundering charges.
Okorie was apprehended by the Nigerian Customs Service on March 19, 2025, upon arrival from Johannesburg. He initially declared only $279,000 at the airport’s currency declaration desk, but a routine search uncovered an additional $299,000 hidden in various packages, along with €100 and a counterfeit $250 note.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned him on March 25 at the Federal High Court in Lagos on four counts of alleged money laundering and currency scam. Okorie had initially pleaded not guilty. However, at the resumption of trial on Wednesday, his lawyer, Uche Okoronkwo, informed the court of his client’s decision to change his plea to guilty.
As the court registrar was about to re-read the charges, Okorie suddenly collapsed in the dock. His wife and daughter, who were present in the courtroom, burst into tears as he was rushed to the hospital.
Before the incident, the EFCC had moved to withdraw two of the four charges against him following his decision to plead guilty. Justice Deinde Dipeolu agreed to the withdrawal, but proceedings were halted due to Okorie’s collapse.
The EFCC stated that Okorie’s actions violated Sections 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as Sections 3(1)(a), 5(1)(b), and (2) of the Counterfeit Currency (Special Provisions) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
As of the time of reporting, Okorie remains under medical observation, while the court awaits further updates on his condition before resuming trial.
