Customs officer testifies in EFCC trial of Austrian caught with undeclared $800k, €651k

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, presented its first prosecution witness in the trial of Kavlak Onal, an Austrian national accused of failing to declare $800,575 and €651,505 at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

The witness, Yusuf Suleiman, a profiling officer with the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), told Justice Yelim Bogoro of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, that Onal, scheduled to fly to Dubai via Emirates Airline, was intercepted during a routine check at the AML/CFT Currency Declaration Desk on December 16, 2025.

Suleiman explained that Onal initially claimed to be a sick passenger with no funds to declare.

Upon inspection of his luggage, officers discovered large sums of US Dollars and Euros, some in bundles and others in envelopes marked with names.

“The passenger was approached, and he said he had no money to declare. When we searched the luggage, we discovered $800,575 and €651,505,” Suleiman testified.

He added that Onal admitted to knowing the currency declaration point at the airport and had carried smaller amounts in the past but never sums this large.

The EFCC counsel, Bilikisu Buhari Bala, sought to tender Onal’s statement as evidence, but the defence, led by Victor Okpara, SAN, objected, claiming it was not voluntarily made. The prosecution withdrew the statement, and the court granted the withdrawal.

During cross-examination, Suleiman detailed the airport’s currency declaration procedures, including signage in English and French and the availability of online declaration options.

He also clarified that Onal had opportunities to declare the money at the Customs Desk or electronically.

The defendant, who pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge of money laundering, remains in court custody.

The trial was adjourned to February 27, 2026, for continuation.

The charges allege that Onal failed to declare the sums to the NCS in violation of Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.