The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned an Austrian national, Kavlak Onal, before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly failing to declare foreign currencies worth $800,575 and €651,505, equivalent to about N2.28 billion.
EFCC prosecutor Bilikisu Buhari told Justice Yellim Bogoro that Onal was arrested at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, by officers from the Nigeria Customs Service’s Anti-Money Laundering Unit.
Onal faces a two-count charge under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022. When the charges were read, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
Following the plea, the prosecutor urged the court to fix a trial date and remand Onal in Nigerian Correctional Service custody pending trial.
Defence counsel Sterlin Imhemuro informed the court that a bail application had been filed and served on the prosecution, requesting that Onal remain in EFCC custody until the bail hearing.
Acknowledging receipt of the bail application, the prosecutor requested a short adjournment to review and respond.
Justice Bogoro adjourned the matter to January 16, 2026, for the bail hearing, ordering that the defendant remain in NCoS custody until then.
The charge alleges that Onal’s failure to declare the large sums of foreign currency at the airport violated the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act.
