In a significant move to curb illicit financial flows, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arraigned an Austrian national, Kavlak Onal, before a Federal High Court in Lagos.
The defendant stands accused of failing to declare a massive cache of foreign currency totaling over $800,000 and €651,000 at the nation’s gateway.
Appearing before Justice Yellim Bogoro in the suit marked FHC/L/04c/2026, is answering questions to a two-count charge bordering on the non-declaration of $800,575 and €651,505.
At current exchange rates, the total sum is estimated to be approximately N2.28 billion.
The counsel for the anti-graft agency, Bilikisu Buhari, informed the court that the defendant was apprehended on December 13, 2025, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja.
According to the EFCC, officers from the Anti-Money Laundering Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) discovered the undeclared funds during a routine screening process as the Austrian attempted to clear the airport.
The charges specifically allege that Onal’s failure to report the cash to Customs authorities constitutes a direct violation of Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
This legislation mandates that travellers must declare any amount exceeding $10,000 or its equivalent to the authorities.
Upon the reading of the charges, the defendant entered a plea of “not guilty.” Following this, Buhari requested that the court remand the foreigner in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) pending the commencement of his trial.
However, the defence counsel, Sterlin Imhemuro, countered this by notifying the court of a pending bail application.
Imhemuro argued that the application had been duly served on the prosecution and urged the judge to allow his client to remain in EFCC custody while the bail application was being considered.
The prosecution admitted to receiving the motion for bail earlier that morning at 9:03 a.m. but requested a short adjournment to properly review the documents and file a formal response.
Justice Bogoro, after listening to the arguments from both legal teams, opted for a firm stance.
The judge adjourned the case until January 16, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application.
Crucially, the court ordered that Onal be remanded in a correctional facility rather than EFCC custody until the bail hearing is determined.
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