The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned an Austrian national, Kavlak Onal, before the Federal High Court in Lagos over his alleged failure to declare foreign currencies amounting to $800,575 and €651,505—valued at approximately ₦2.28 billion.
Onal was brought before Justice Yellim Bogoro on Thursday, where EFCC prosecutor, Bilikisu Buhari, told the court that the defendant was arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service Anti-Money Laundering Unit.
According to the prosecution, the defendant was apprehended while in possession of the undeclared funds, in violation of Nigeria’s Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022. Buhari explained that the two-count charge preferred against Onal is punishable under Section 3(5) of the Act.
When the charges were read by the court registrar, the Austrian national pleaded not guilty.
Following the plea, the EFCC urged the court to fix a date for trial and order the remand of the defendant at the Nigerian Correctional Services pending the determination of the case.
Counsel to the defendant, Sterlin Imhemuro, informed the court that a bail application had already been filed and duly served on the prosecution. He requested that the court remand his client in EFCC custody pending the hearing of the bail application.
Acknowledging receipt of the bail application at about 9:03 a.m., the prosecutor requested a brief adjournment to study the application and file a response.
After hearing submissions from both parties, Justice Bogoro adjourned the matter to January 16 for the hearing of the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services until then.
The charges allege that Onal failed to declare the sums of $800,575 and €651,505 upon arrival at the Lagos airport, an offence contrary to Nigeria’s anti-money laundering laws.
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