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LBy Lizzy Chirkpi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arraigned an Austrian national, Kavlak Onal, before the Federal High Court in Lagos over allegations of failing to declare large sums of foreign currency at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.
Onal was brought before Justice Yellim Bogoro on a two-count charge bordering on money laundering offences. The EFCC alleged that he failed to declare a total of $800,575 and €651,505 during outward clearance at the airport.
According to the first count, the defendant allegedly neglected to declare the sum of $800,575 to the Nigeria Customs Service on December 13, 2025, an offence punishable under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022. The second count accused him of similarly failing to declare €651,505 to customs officials at the same airport and on the same date, contrary to the same legal provision.
Onal pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Following his plea, EFCC counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, told the court that the defendant was intercepted by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service’s anti-money laundering unit while attempting to travel to Australia. She said he was allegedly trying to leave the country with undeclared foreign currencies valued at over ₦2 billion.
Buhari urged the court to remand the defendant at the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) pending the determination of the case.
However, defence counsel, Sterlin Imhemuro, informed the court that a bail application had already been filed and served on the prosecution. He appealed to the court to remand his client in EFCC custody rather than at the correctional facility.
Responding, Buhari noted that the prosecution only received the bail application the same day and requested time to properly study it.
After listening to arguments from both sides, Justice Bogoro adjourned the matter to January 16, 2026, for further hearing and to rule on the bail application.