A Nigerian national has been deported from Ghana after being convicted of smuggling counterfeit currency worth more than $100,000 into the country. The 55-year-old suspect, Aremu Timothy Adegboyega, was arrested at the Aflao border in January 2023 and later sentenced by an Accra Circuit Court.
Customs officers at the Aflao border intercepted Adegboyega on January 17, 2023, while he was traveling as a passenger on a motorcycle. A search of his backpack revealed bundles of fake CFA Francs and Nigerian Naira, totaling CFA 80,653,000 (approximately $136,000) and ₦101,500 ($220). Investigations confirmed the counterfeit money had been smuggled into Ghana from Togo.
During interrogation, Adegboyega admitted to knowingly transporting the forged currency. He claimed to have received the fake notes from an individual named Alhaji Saibu in Nigeria, who allegedly acted on the orders of a criminal figure based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, identified as Alhaji Dials.
Initially pleading not guilty, Adegboyega changed his plea to guilty during the trial. The court convicted him on two counts of possessing forged currency under Section 18(2) of Ghana’s Currency Act, 1964, and one count of illegal entry. He was fined GH¢3,000 (about $250) or a two-year prison sentence with hard labor, plus an additional fine of GH¢1,440 ($120) or another two-year jail term.
Following his conviction, authorities ordered his deportation to Nigeria. The case has been handed over to the Ghana Police Service for further investigation, as officials believe it may be linked to a larger counterfeit currency network.
Ghanaian authorities emphasized that the ruling sends a strong message to those attempting to undermine the country’s financial and border security systems. “This case demonstrates our commitment to combating cross-border financial crimes,” a senior customs official stated. “We will continue to work with regional partners to dismantle such operations.”
The deportation comes amid heightened efforts by West African nations to crack down on counterfeit currency rings, which pose significant risks to economic stability in the region.