YARGATA BYENCHIT NIMPAR, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The Appellant received the sum of $2,198,900.00 cash found in the possession of one Ibiteye John Bamidele from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency with a covering letter alleging that the said man was arrested at the Local wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport while attempting to board a flight to Abuja.
On the commencement of investigations, the Respondent appeared to claim the money and said he gave the money to John Bamidele to take same to Abuja. He made a statement and was granted administrative bail and asked to deposit his international passport. He initially reported to the Appellant's Abuja office. Several days later, the Respondent filed an application before the Federal High Court seeking the following reliefs:
1. A DECLARATION that the seizure and detention of the Applicant's money in the sum of $2,200,000.00 (Two Million Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) and his official International Passport …