EFCC arraigns Austrian for ‘failing to declare $800k, €651k’ at Lagos airport

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) has arraigned Kavlak Onal, a citizen of Austria, for allegedly failing to declare the cash sum of $800,575 and €651,505 at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

Onal was arraigned on Friday before Yellim Bogoro, a judge at the federal high court in Lagos, on a two count-charge.

“That you, Mr. Kavlak Onal, on the 13th December, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, failed to make a declaration of the sum of $800,575 (Eight Hundred Thousand, Five Hundred United States Dollars) to the Nigeria Customs Service at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 3 (5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022,” the charge sheet reads.

“That you, Mr. Kavlak Onal, on the 13th December, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court failed to make a declaration of the sum of €651,505 (Six hundred and fifty one, Five Hundred and Five Euro) to the Nigeria Customs Service at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 3 (5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.”

The Austrian pleaded not guilty to charges.

After the plea, Bilikisu Buhari, counsel to the EFCC, told the court that the defendant was arrested on December 13, 2025, during outward clearance at Murtala Mohammed Airport to Australia.

The EFCC counsel said officers of the anti-money laundering unit of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) arrested the Austrian after he failed to declare the foreign currencies worth over two billion in Nigerian currency.

The counsel said the alleged offence is contrary to and punishable under section 3 (5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.

Buhari urged the court to remand the defendant in the facility of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) pending trial.

However, Sterlin Imhemuro, counsel to the defendant, told the court that the client’s bail application had been filed and served on the prosecution.

The counsel appealed to the court to remand the defendant in the custody of EFCC.

Responding, EFCC counsel said the bail application was served around 9am today and that she needed some time to study it.

After the arguments, the trial judge adjourned the case to January 16.

The Austrian was remanded in the correctional facility pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.(The Cable)