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 about N2.28 billion.
Onal was arraigned before Justice Yellim Bogoro on a two-count charge bordering on money laundering, contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.
The EFCC prosecutor, Bilikisu Buhari, told the court that the defendant was arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service Anti-Money Laundering Unit while in possession of the undeclared currencies.
According to the prosecution, the offences are punishable under Section 3(5) of the Act. Onal, however, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.
Following the plea, Buhari urged the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the determination of the case.
Defence counsel, Sterlin Imhemuro, informed the court that a bail application had been filed and served on the prosecution. He requested that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the EFCC pending the hearing of the bail application.
The prosecutor confirmed receipt of the bail application and sought a short adjournment to study and respond to it.
After hearing 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 Service pending the outcome of the bail proceedings.
The charge alleges that Onal failed to declare the sums of $800,575 and €651,505 upon arrival at the airport, in violation of the Money Laundering Act.
