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 totalling $800,575 and €651,505, valued at about ₦2.28 billion.
EFCC prosecutor, Bilikisu Buhari, told the court that Onal was arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service Anti-Money Laundering Unit.
She said the two-count charge against him is punishable under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.
Onal pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.
Following his plea, the prosecution requested a trial date and asked that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending trial.
Defence counsel, Sterlin Imhemuro, informed the court that a bail application had been filed and served on the prosecution, urging the court to keep his client in EFCC custody pending the hearing of the application.
The prosecutor sought a brief adjournment to review the bail request.
Justice Yellim Bogoro adjourned the case to January 16 for the bail hearing and ordered that the defendant be remanded in Nigerian Correctional Service custody.