ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- A businessman, Okorie Sunday, who was arrested at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, with $578,000 in cash, collapsed in court on Wednesday morning during his trial.
Okorie was brought before the Federal High Court, Lagos at 8:30 a.m. for the continuation of his trial.
As the court registrar was about to re-read the charges, he suddenly slumped in the dock, causing panic in the courtroom.
On Tuesday, March 25, 2025, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Okorie before Justice Deinde Dipeolu on four counts related to alleged money laundering and a currency scam.
He had pleaded not guilty at the time.
However, during Wednesday’s hearing, his defense counsel, Uche Okoronkwo, informed the court that his client wished to change his plea to guilty.
“My Lord, the defendant wishes to change his plea from not guilty to guilty,” Okoronkwo said, requesting that the charge be read to him again.
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EFCC prosecutor Chineye Okezie confirmed the defendant’s decision and stated that the commission would withdraw counts three and four, focusing only on counts one and two.
Justice Dipeolu granted the request and ordered the registrar to read the remaining charges to Okorie.
However, as soon as the registrar asked if he understood English, the businessman did not respond. Instead, he collapsed inside the dock, shocking everyone in court.
His wife and daughter, who were present, broke down in tears as officials rushed to his aid. The trial was immediately stood down, and Okorie was taken to the hospital.
According to Vanguard, Okorie was arrested on March 19, 2025, after arriving in Lagos from Johannesburg aboard South African Airways Flight SA60.
At the airport’s currency declaration desk, he declared only $279,000.
However, a routine search by Nigerian Customs Service officers uncovered an additional $299,000 hidden in packages, bringing the total amount to $578,000.
Authorities also recovered €100 and a counterfeit $250 note among the undeclared cash.
According to the EFCC, the charges against Okorie violate:
Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, 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 this report, the court is awaiting updates on Okorie’s health before deciding on the next steps in the trial.