EFCC Drags Austrian To Court Over Undeclared $800m, €651,505 At Lagos Airport

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 $800,575 and €651,505, amounts equivalent to about ₦2.28 billion.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Onal was brought before Justice Yellim Bogoro on a two-count charge bordering on non-declaration of foreign currency.

Prosecuting counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, told the court that the offence was committed on December 13 during the defendant’s outward clearance at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, while en route to Australia.

She stated that Onal was apprehended by officers of the Anti-Money Laundering Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) after he allegedly failed to declare the foreign currencies in his possession.

According to the prosecution, the offence contravenes Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read in court.

Following the plea, the prosecution requested that Onal be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) pending trial.

Defense counsel, Barrister Sterlin Imhemuro, who appeared alongside Temilehin Olushola, informed the court that a bail application had already been filed and served on the prosecution. He urged the court to remand the defendant in EFCC custody pending the hearing of the bail application.

While acknowledging receipt of the bail motion, the prosecutor requested a short adjournment to enable her study the application and file a response.

After considering submissions from both sides, Justice Bogoro adjourned the matter to January 16 for the hearing of the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Service facility pending the determination of the application.

The charges allege that Onal failed to declare $800,575 and €651,505 to the Nigeria Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, offences punishable under the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.