The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Austrian citizen Kavlak Onal before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly failing to declare a massive sum of foreign currency.
Onal is facing a two-count charge involving the non-declaration of $800,575 and €651,505—totaling over $1.5 million—at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport.
Okay News reports that the defendant was arrested on December 13, 2025, by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) while attempting to depart for Australia. The prosecution, led by Bilikisu Buhari, told the court that the failure to declare the funds violates Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.
Onal pleaded not guilty to the charges before Justice Yellim Bogoro on Friday. While his defense counsel, Sterlin Imhemuro, sought to have him remanded in EFCC custody pending a bail hearing, the judge ordered his remand in a correctional facility.
The case has been adjourned until January 16 for the hearing and determination of his bail application.
