By Ayomide Otitoju
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 ₦2.28 billion.
The defendant was arraigned before Justice Yellim Bogoro on a two-count charge brought under the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.
EFCC prosecutor, Bilikisu Buhari, told the court that Onal 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 funds.
According to the prosecutor, the offences are punishable under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.
Onal pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him by the court registrar.
Following the plea, the prosecution urged the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending trial.
However, 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 EFCC custody pending the hearing of the bail application.
While acknowledging receipt of the bail application at about 9:03 a.m., the prosecutor requested a brief adjournment to review and respond to it.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Bogoro adjourned the matter to January 16 for the bail hearing and ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the hearing.
The charge alleges that Onal failed to declare $800,575 and €651,505 at the airport, contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering Act.
