Undeclared $1.45 Million: EFCC Prosecutes Austrian National After Lagos Airport Arrest

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has commenced legal proceedings against Kavlak Onal following his arrest at Murtala Muhammed International Airport after authorities discovered more than 1.45 million dollars in undeclared foreign currency in his possession. During testimony before the Federal High Court in Lagos, a Nigerian Customs Service officer described how the concealed money was uncovered during standard boarding checks for an Emirates Airlines flight. The accused is currently facing two counts of money laundering under the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act of 2022 for allegedly attempting to evade mandatory financial disclosure rules. The matter is being heard before Justice Yellim Bogoro, where prosecutors outlined claims that the Austrian citizen disregarded numerous public warnings and direct verbal checks relating to currency declaration limits.

Border financial transparency enforcement remains a central strategy in preventing illegal capital transfers between countries. Nigerian law currently requires any traveler carrying cash or negotiable instruments above 10,000 dollars to formally declare the amount to authorities. Officials emphasize that this process goes beyond administrative routine and forms part of the country’s broader anti-financial crime and anti-terrorism financing framework. In the Lagos airport incident involving the Austrian traveler, failure to comply with these requirements led to immediate confiscation of the money and subsequent criminal prosecution. According to the prosecution’s witness, airport systems are deliberately structured to encourage compliance, including digital declaration platforms and multilingual signage placed throughout terminal areas.

International anti-money laundering regulations compel countries to closely monitor the cross-border movement of physical currency to prevent illegal funds from entering legitimate financial channels. To support this objective, the Nigerian Customs Service maintains dedicated declaration desks in both arrival and departure sections of major airports to ensure travelers understand their legal responsibilities. When Onal attempted to depart for Dubai, officials allegedly found 800,585 dollars and 651,505 euros concealed in his luggage after he failed to declare them. The customs witness testified that the accused claimed he did not know the exact amount he was carrying, even though the funds were carefully arranged in bundles and envelopes labeled with different names. Authorities argue that such systematic packaging contradicts claims of accidental non-disclosure, particularly for an experienced international traveler.

Court proceedings have also revealed the advanced methods used by enforcement agencies to intercept undeclared funds at major aviation hubs across Africa. Officers receive specialized training to identify behavioral indicators that may signal concealed assets. During the encounter with the accused, customs officials reported that Onal initially claimed to be unwell, which investigators believe may have been an attempt to pass through security quickly without detailed screening. After the search began and the cash was discovered, the defendant allegedly changed tactics by attempting to resolve the issue directly with officers. Prosecutors argue this alleged bribery attempt further weakens the defendant’s position, suggesting deliberate efforts to avoid formal reporting procedures.

The transfer of the case from the Nigerian Customs Service to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission highlights the seriousness of suspected money laundering offenses. The EFCC is responsible for investigating the origins of large cash seizures to determine whether they are linked to criminal activities or intended for illegal use. In this case, the total seized amount, exceeding 1.45 million dollars when converted, has raised significant concerns about the source and intended use of the funds. Court testimony also suggested the defendant had previously traveled with undeclared cash, albeit smaller amounts, which were still well above typical personal travel cash levels.

Legal enforcement relies heavily on statutory instruments such as the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act of 2022, which provides the legal basis for prosecuting currency declaration violations. Section 3 of the law specifically governs cross-border cash transportation and mandates full disclosure. Violations can result in full forfeiture of funds and lengthy prison sentences. By prosecuting the case in the Federal High Court, authorities aim to demonstrate their commitment to safeguarding the country’s financial integrity. The customs officer’s testimony established key events surrounding the arrest and documented the defendant’s denials before the cash was found.

Defense lawyers in similar cases typically challenge whether statements made during detention were voluntary. In this trial, defense counsel objected to certain statements being admitted as evidence, arguing they were obtained through inducement. This triggered procedural arguments about conducting a trial-within-a-trial to determine whether the statements were lawfully obtained. Despite these objections, the physical seizure of the currency remains a core component of the prosecution’s case. The discovery of multiple names written on the envelopes containing the money has led prosecutors to suggest the accused may have been operating as a courier for multiple parties, a tactic commonly associated with international cash-based money laundering schemes designed to bypass banking surveillance.

Authorities also emphasized the risks associated with high-volume cash movement between Nigeria and major financial centers such as Dubai. While Dubai serves as a major global trade hub, its accessibility can also attract individuals seeking to move funds outside traditional banking oversight. Cooperation between the Nigerian Customs Service and the EFCC demonstrates a coordinated multi-agency approach to addressing these risks. Strict enforcement of the 10,000-dollar declaration threshold is part of Nigeria’s effort to comply with Financial Action Task Force recommendations and maintain credibility within the international financial system.

Testimony further suggested the accused was aware of declaration points and had seen posted notices aimed at travelers. Establishing awareness is critical for proving criminal intent under money laundering laws. Prosecutors are attempting to portray the defendant as someone who knowingly chose to bypass legal requirements rather than a traveler who made an honest mistake. The structured packaging of the cash and the alleged attempt to negotiate with officers are being presented as indicators of deliberate wrongdoing.

The trial is scheduled to continue on February 27, 2026, where proceedings are expected to focus on the legality of the arrest process and efforts to verify the origin of the seized funds. The Federal High Court will need to carefully balance prosecution evidence against defense claims concerning the defendant’s mental state and the voluntariness of his statements. Officials say the case highlights the strict enforcement of Nigerian currency laws and demonstrates the effectiveness of surveillance systems at major transit airports. The seizure of more than 1.45 million dollars is being described as a major success in Nigeria’s ongoing effort to combat illegal financial flows.

Legal experts believe the final verdict could influence how future currency declaration violations are prosecuted in Nigeria. A conviction would reinforce the mandatory nature of disclosure laws and validate aggressive enforcement approaches used by customs and anti-corruption agencies. Authorities have meticulously catalogued and documented the seized 800,585 dollars and 651,505 euros, with each bundle potentially providing investigative leads into larger financial networks involved in cross-border cash movement.

The Federal High Court remains responsible for ensuring a fair evaluation of all evidence while protecting both state interests and the defendant’s legal rights. The adjournment allows both sides to strengthen their cases with additional evidence related to the December 2025 arrest. Prosecutors have already established a narrative of attempted evasion followed by discovery, while the defense now faces the challenge of countering that account. The case is drawing international attention, particularly regarding how Nigeria prosecutes foreign nationals in major financial crime cases.

Ultimately, the court’s decision will depend on how it interprets the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act and whether the defendant’s conduct is deemed a deliberate violation. The fate of the seized funds will hinge on whether the defendant can demonstrate a legitimate source and explain why the money was not declared. However, prosecutors argue that the alleged denials of carrying cash and the reported settlement attempt present significant obstacles to a successful defense. The case continues to stand as a notable example of how international travel, border enforcement, and global financial regulation intersect in the fight against illicit money movement.

By fLEXI tEAM