The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned an Austrian, Kavlak Onalaja before a Federal High Court, Lagos due to non-declaration of the sum of $800, 575, 000, €651,505, equivalent to ₦2.28 billion.
Naijaonpoint reports that the Austrian was arraigned before Justice Yellim Bogoroon a two count-charge for failing to declare the total sum of ₦2.28bn
Counsel for the prosecution, Bilikisu Buhari, had informed the court that the defendant committed the offense on the 13th of December during outward clearance of Murtala Mohammed Airport to Australia
The prosecutor told the court that the defendant was arrested with the foreign currencies which he failed to declare by officers of the Anti-Money Laundering Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.,
Buhari said 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.”