Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arraigned Austrian national Kavlak Onal for allegedly failing to declare large sums of foreign currency at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
The EFCC confirmed the development on Friday via its official X handle, stating: “EFCC Arraigns Austrian For Undeclared $800,585, €651,505 At Lagos Airport.”
Onal was arrested by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) while attempting to travel to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on an Emirates Airlines flight. He was subsequently handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.
Operatives of the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 had launched an inquiry after the Austrian was intercepted with large sums of foreign currency, allegedly concealed and undeclared as required by law. According to the commission, Onal was arrested on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, with $800,575 and €651,505 in his possession.
Receiving the suspect, the Head of the Foreign Exchange Malpractices Section (FEMS), ACE II Adejumo Richard, speaking on behalf of EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, commended the Customs Service for their role in the arrest. “I would like to extend our sincere appreciation and commendation to the Nigerian Customs Service for its outstanding efforts and excellent synergy displayed so far,” Richard said, adding that their “dedication to duty and collaborative spirit have been instrumental in advancing our shared objectives.”
This case is the latest in a series of interceptions involving undeclared foreign currencies at Nigerian airports. In October 2025, security operatives at Murtala Muhammed Airport reportedly arrested a group of passengers carrying $6.1 million in cash while preparing to board an Aero Contractors flight. Sources said the suspects were believed to be couriers for a politically exposed person, though their identities and destination were not immediately disclosed.