The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, January 8, arraigned an Austrian national, Kavlak Onal, before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly failing to declare foreign currencies totaling $800,575 and €651,505—worth approximately N2.28 billion.
Onal appeared before Justice Yellim Bogoro on a two-count charge of non-declaration of funds.
Prosecution counsel, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari, told the court that the alleged offences occurred on December 13 at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, as Onal was preparing to travel to Australia. He was reportedly arrested by officers of the Anti-Money Laundering Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) after failing to declare the currencies in his possession.
Buhari stated that the offences contravene Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022. Onal pleaded not guilty to both counts.
The prosecution requested that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) pending trial. Onal’s lawyers, Sterlin Imhemuro and Temilehin Olushola, informed the court that a bail application had been filed and served on the prosecution, requesting that their client be held in EFCC custody pending its hearing.
The prosecution confirmed receipt of the bail application at 9:03 a.m. and requested a short adjournment to review and respond to it.
After hearing submissions from both sides, Justice Bogoro adjourned the matter to January 16 for the hearing of the bail application and ordered that Onal remain in NCoS custody until the application is determined.
The charges allege that on December 13, at Lagos, Onal failed to declare $800,575 and €651,505 to the Nigeria Customs Service at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, actions considered offences under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.