The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arraigned an Austrian national, Kavlak Onal, over allegations of failing to declare large sums of foreign currency at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
Onal was brought before Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on a two-count charge bordering on money laundering.
Charges Against the Defendant
According to the charge sheet, Onal allegedly failed to declare $800,575 during outward clearance at the Lagos airport on December 13, 2025, an offence punishable under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The second count accused him of similarly failing to declare €651,505 to officials of the Nigeria Customs Service at the same airport and on the same date, contrary to the same legal provision.
Onal pleaded not guilty to both counts.
EFCC Seeks Remand, Defence Pushes for Bail
Following the plea, EFCC counsel Bilikisu Buhari told the court that the defendant was intercepted by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service anti-money laundering unit while attempting to board a flight to Australia.
She said the undeclared foreign currencies were valued at over ₦2 billion and requested that the court remand the defendant at the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) pending trial.
In response, defence counsel Sterlin Imhemuro informed the court that a bail application had already been filed and served on the prosecution. He urged the court to remand Onal in EFCC custody instead of a correctional facility.
However, the EFCC counsel told the court that the prosecution had only just received the bail application and would need time to study and respond to it.
Court Adjourns Case
After listening to submissions from both parties, Justice Bogoro adjourned the matter to January 16, 2026, for further hearing and determination of the bail application.
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