The Austrian After His Arraignment
An Austrian, Kavlak Onal, was today arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before a Federal High Court, Lagos, over non-declaration of the foreign currencies of $800, 575, 000, €651,505, equivalent to N2.28 billion.
The Austrian was arraigned before Justice Yellim Bogoro on a two count-charge of the offence in a charge marked FHC/L/04c/2026.
The prosecutor, Barrister Bilikisu Buhari, while arraigning the foreigner on the alleged offences on December 13, 2025.
The prosecutor told the court that the defendant was arrested with the foreign currencies which he failed to declared by officers of the Anti-Money Laundering Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.,
The prosecutor told the court that the alleged illegal acts of the Austrian is contrary to and punishable under section 3 (5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.
The defendant however pleaded not guilty to the two counts charge when it was read to him.
Based on his plea of not guilty, the prosecutor urged the court to remand him in the the facility of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) pending trial.
However, defendant’s lawyer, Barrister Sterlin Imhemuro leading Temilehin Olushola, informed the court that he had filed his client’s bail application and same has been served on the prosecution.
The lawyer also pleaded with the court to remand his client to EFCC pending the hearing and determination of the bail application.
The prosecutor, Barrister Bilikisu while admitted being served with the motion for bail was served on her at about 9.03am today. She however prayer the court for short date to enable her go through the application and file her response.
Based on the counsel submissions, Justice Bogoro adjourned the matter to January 16, for hearing of the bail application.
The judge however ordered that the Austrian be remanded in the facility of the Nigerian Correctional Services NCoS pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.
Charges against the Austrian read: “that you, Mr. Kavlak Onal, on the 13th December, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, failed to make a declaration of the sum of $800,575 (Eight Hundred Thousand, Five Hundred United States Dollars) to the Nigeria Customs Service at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 3 (5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.
“That you, Mr. Kavlak Onal, on the 13th December, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court failed to make a declaration of the sum of E651,505 (Six hundred and fifty one, Five Hundred and Five Euro) to the Nigeria Customs Service at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 3 (5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.“
