NIPOST Seizes N84Bn in Foreign Currencies

NIGERIAN Postal Service (NIPOST) intercepted financial instruments worth over N83. 9 billion in foreign currencies meant for illegal transfers from January to December, 2015, according to Mr Enoch Ade Ogun, acting postmaster general.

Ade Ogun in his 2016 Pan African post day celebration message, said that the monetary value of the intercepted financial instruments in different foreign currencies 1,112,724. 86 Pounds with the naira equivalent of N314 million; 40, 427, 909.36 Euros with the naira equivalent of N8.68 million; 376, 615, 994. 31 US dollars with the naira equivalent of N74.19 billion and 5, 200.Australian dollars with the equivalent of N713,813. 31.

He said that other items intercepted during the year include 848 pieces of fake cheques, 293 pieces of money orders, 147 pieces of postal orders and 30 pieces of international passports in addition to 167. 3 kg of narcotics.

According to him, “All the negotiable financial instruments have been deposited with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further scrutiny and action, the narcotics containing heroine, cocaine and cannabis have been deposited with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further laboratory test and for possible arrest and prosecution.

The international passports have been deposited with the Nigerian Immigration Service while officers of the Nigerian Customs Service confiscated some parcels with prohibited items.”

Ogun further appealed to all stakeholders in the industry to support NIPOST, stressing that the management is poised to reposition the organisation to make greater contribution to the country’s socio-economic growth, adding that NIPOST will dedicate 90 per cent of its 2016 budget to improve the quality of all aspects of its services and operations.