Home » Aviation: Alleged Maltreatment: Ethiopian Security Officials Have Legal Right To Impound Undeclared Cash, Does Not Discriminate Against Nigerian Travellers, Other Africans

Aviation: Alleged Maltreatment: Ethiopian Security Officials Have Legal Right To Impound Undeclared Cash, Does Not Discriminate Against Nigerian Travellers, Other Africans

by Atqnews
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Ethiopian Security

The Group Chief Commercial Officer (GCCO), Ethiopian Airlines, Lemma Yadecha Gudeta has said immigration officers and other security officials at its hub in Addis Ababa have the legal right to impound Undeclared currencies that above the stipulated amount allowed into the country by air travellers.

He said security officials at the Bole International Airport do not maltreat and discriminate against Nigerian travellers and other African nationals flying into the country unjustly adding that there are no law enforcement authorities in Ethiopia that target people based on race, region or colour.

Speaking in an interview in Addis Ababa, Yadecha Gudeta said air travellers are given the opportunity to declare monies that are above $10,000 with immigration officer at the airport before entering Ethiopia, stating that some passengers, knowingly entered the country with money beyond the maximum amount required for air travellers, and are caught by law enforcement officials.

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“You know, we Ethiopians are an integral part of Africa and we are brothers and sisters as Nigerians. We are the same people and we are working with so many stakeholders at the airport with different jurisdiction over what they are doing.

“Yes, we know that the Ethiopian Government has a very strict rule when it comes to financial law or anything that is money related. As an Ethiopian, I am allowed to import a certain amount of money and also take out a specific amount of money, which was set by the law.

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“When a Nigerian passenger for instance, enters Ethiopia, we usually announce onboard our airplanes for them to declare it if any of them has more than $10,000. Then, we again warn them that if they have an excess of $10,000, they have to declare and we also put a vault at the airport so that they can put their belongings, valuables there and keep the keys with them. Once they return, they can easily access it.

“But, some passengers, knowingly and unknowingly, will enter Ethiopia with money beyond the maximum and on their way out, the law enforcement people will exercise their rights on the issue.

“I can assure you 100 per cent that there are no law enforcement authorities in Ethiopia that target people based on race, region or colour. We are proud to be black and we are proud to see Nigerians on the streets of Addis Ababa. We want them to see the beautiful city of our country and visit historic places. We are always willing to welcome brothers and sisters all over Africa and from all of the world. As a man of colour, I am proud to be Ethiopian, African, black. Therefore, there is no way people will be discriminated against based on their citizenship or colour. “

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