Tension in Kano as Court Seizes ₦653 Million in Foreign Currencies from Salisu Ahmad Over Non-Declaration

In a development that has rocked financial and political circles in Kano State and beyond, the Federal High Court sitting in Kano has ordered the forfeiture of a staggering ₦653 million in foreign currencies found in the possession of one Salisu Ahmad, over allegations of non-declaration. The court’s ruling comes after weeks of quiet investigations, shock raids, and whispered rumors that have now erupted into full-blown national attention.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier trailed Ahmad following suspicious financial movements tied to several offshore accounts, leading to a series of inquiries about the legitimacy of his income and transactions. According to EFCC operatives, a raid conducted earlier this month on Ahmad’s residence and private office revealed vaults of foreign cash stashed in walls, floor compartments, and behind false panels. The currencies seized reportedly include U.S. dollars, British pounds, euros, and dirhams. Experts have estimated the total value to be in excess of ₦653 million when converted to naira, a figure that has sent social media into a frenzy and sparked outrage among Nigerians grappling with a weakening currency and economic hardship.

Justice Abdullahi Liman, who presided over the case, ruled in favor of the EFCC’s ex parte motion seeking the interim forfeiture of the funds pending the outcome of further investigations. In his decision, the judge noted that the defendant, Salisu Ahmad, failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the source of the funds and did not declare them in line with legal requirements as outlined under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended). The court concluded that Ahmad’s silence and evasiveness only deepened suspicions about the illicit origin of the massive stash.

Sources close to the case suggest that Ahmad, a low-profile businessman operating in Kano, may have had links to illicit currency dealings and potential money laundering networks that span across several countries. Although investigations are still ongoing, initial probes have uncovered frequent wire transfers to accounts in Dubai, London, and Istanbul. These financial movements reportedly bore no supporting documentation or tax declarations, reinforcing suspicions of economic sabotage and capital flight.

Eyewitnesses who live near Ahmad’s residence in the Tarauni area of Kano described a scene of heavy security presence during the initial search and seizure operation. “They came in with about four vans. EFCC officers, armed police, everything. We were shocked when we saw them removing boxes from his house. No one expected Salisu to be involved in this kind of thing,” said a neighbor who chose to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation.

The EFCC, in a press statement released shortly after the court ruling, reaffirmed its commitment to rooting out economic crimes and tracking suspicious assets hidden across the country. “This seizure is a major win in our fight against financial crimes. The non-declaration of such massive foreign currency holdings is a clear breach of Nigerian laws and a direct threat to our economy. Nigerians deserve accountability and transparency, and we will stop at nothing to ensure that the law prevails,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, the fallout from the case has sent ripples through political circles in Kano. Rumors are rife that Ahmad may have enjoyed protection from high-ranking officials and business elites, many of whom are now distancing themselves from the embattled figure. While no names have been officially linked to the scandal, political analysts suggest that the case could be the beginning of a larger crackdown on illicit funds ahead of upcoming elections.

Civil society organizations have also weighed in on the matter, praising the EFCC and the judiciary for taking a firm stance against corruption. In a joint statement, Transparency Nigeria and the Centre for Social Justice emphasized that the case reflects the urgent need for stricter monitoring of foreign currency inflows and enforcement of asset declaration laws. “It is unacceptable for individuals to hoard foreign currencies while the nation struggles with inflation, forex scarcity, and rising poverty levels. The law must not only be enforced but seen to be enforced,” the statement concluded.

Back in the court, Ahmad’s legal team has already signaled plans to challenge the ruling, arguing that the seizure was premature and that their client was not given adequate time to respond to the accusations. Lead counsel Barrister Ibrahim Danjuma stated that Ahmad was out of the country for a medical procedure at the time of the EFCC's action and that the funds were part of legitimate business proceeds which the defendant had planned to declare upon return. “This is a case of overreach and unfair criminalization. We will fight this all the way to the Supreme Court if we must,” Danjuma said.

Despite these claims, the public reaction has been unforgiving. Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram have been flooded with reactions ranging from disbelief to fury. Hashtags such as #653MillionNaira and #DeclareYourDollars trended for hours, with many Nigerians using the case as an example of the disconnect between the elite and the suffering masses. Memes, short videos, and angry commentary dominated timelines as users called for stiffer penalties for currency hoarders and more transparent prosecution.

As the investigation deepens, the EFCC has hinted that more names may be dragged into the net, especially if trails from Ahmad’s banking records reveal links to other suspicious beneficiaries or accomplices. The Commission has called on banks, money transfer operators, and the public to cooperate fully with ongoing efforts to clamp down on illicit currency hoarding, which they say continues to weaken the naira and undermine the country’s economic recovery.

This high-profile seizure is only the latest in a series of clampdowns targeting undeclared assets across Nigeria. Over the past year alone, the EFCC has executed multiple forfeiture orders on properties, luxury cars, and cash believed to have been acquired through illegal means. However, critics have argued that while the Commission often succeeds in securing seizures, convictions remain rare, and most cases eventually fizzle out without significant legal consequences.

For now, the people of Kano and Nigerians at large are watching closely. With a staggering ₦653 million in foreign currencies now in government custody and a court case that could unveil deeper secrets, this is more than just a single arrest. It is a test of the government’s resolve to fight economic crimes in a climate where corruption has often thrived unchecked. Only time will tell whether this case leads to genuine accountability or simply becomes another headline in Nigeria’s long battle against financial impunity.