EFCC Arraigns Austrian Over Undeclared $800,575, €651,505 at Lagos Airport

An Austrian national, Kavlak Onal, has been arraigned before the Federal High Court, Lagos, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over his alleged failure to declare foreign currencies totalling $800,575 and €651,505, valued at about ₦2.28 billion.

Onal was docked before Justice Yellim Bogoro on a two-count charge marked FHC/L/04c/2026, bordering on money laundering offences under the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.

Prosecuting counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, told the court that the defendant was arrested on December 13, 2025, by officers of the Anti–Money Laundering Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, after allegedly failing to declare the said sums upon arrival.

According to the prosecution, the alleged acts contravene Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.

When the charges were read to him, Onal pleaded not guilty to both counts. Following his plea, the prosecution urged the court to remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending trial.

However, defence counsel, Sterlin Imhemuro, who appeared with Temilehin Olushola, 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 pending the hearing and determination of the bail application.

Responding, the prosecution confirmed receipt of the bail application at about 9:03 a.m. on Monday but requested a short adjournment to enable it study the application and file a response.

After listening to submissions from both sides, Justice Bogoro adjourned the matter to January 16, 2026, for hearing of the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the determination of the bail request.

The charges allege that Onal failed to declare $800,575 and €651,505 to the Nigeria Customs Service at the Lagos airport on December 13, 2025, acts said to be contrary to and punishable under the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.