An Austrian citizen, Kavlak Onal, was arraigned on Friday before Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on charges of failing to declare substantial amounts of foreign currency while attempting to leave Nigeria.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought two counts against Onal under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.
The charges allege that on or about December 13, 2025, he failed to declare $800,575 USD and €651,505 to officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos.
The combined value of the seized currencies is estimated at approximately ₦2.28 billion, based on prevailing exchange rates at the time of the incident.
Onal was intercepted on December 13, 2025, during routine checks at the airport’s Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Currency Declaration Desk.
He was preparing to board an Emirates Airlines flight to Dubai when customs officers discovered the undeclared cash in his possession. Reports indicate that Onal initially denied carrying any declarable currency when questioned.
Following the interception, the NCS formally handed over Onal, his passport, and the seized funds to the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate for further investigation. The case highlights ongoing inter-agency collaboration between the NCS and EFCC in combating illicit financial flows.
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Nigeria’s regulations, aligned with international standards, require travelers to declare any amount of foreign currency exceeding $10,000 (or equivalent) when entering or exiting the country. Failure to do so is a serious offense aimed at preventing money laundering and terrorist financing.
During today’s proceedings, Onal’s defense counsel requested that he be remanded in EFCC custody pending a formal bail application.
The court has yet to rule on bail, and the case is adjourned for further hearing.
This incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of cash movements at Nigerian airports, following similar high-profile seizures in recent months. Authorities emphasize that such measures are critical to safeguarding the nation’s financial system. The EFCC has stated that investigations into the source and intended purpose of the funds are ongoing, with prosecution proceeding in line with the law.
