The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the arraignment of an Austrian national, Kavlak Onal, over allegations of failing to declare substantial amounts of foreign currency at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
The anti-graft agency announced the development on Friday via a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, stating: “EFCC Arraigns Austrian For Undeclared $800,585, €651,505 At Lagos Airport.”
Onal was apprehended by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) while attempting to board an Emirates Airlines flight to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Following his arrest, he was handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.
Earlier reports indicated that operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC launched an investigation after the suspect was intercepted at the airport with large sums of foreign currency allegedly hidden and not declared in line with Nigerian financial regulations.
According to the EFCC, the Austrian national was arrested on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, in possession of $800,575 and €651,505, which he allegedly failed to declare upon departure.
While formally receiving the suspect from the Customs Service, the Head of the Foreign Exchange Malpractices Section (FEMS), Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE II) Adejumo Richard, speaking on behalf of the Commission’s Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its vigilance and cooperation.
Richard praised the agency for its professionalism, noting that its commitment and effective collaboration had significantly contributed to the success of the operation and the broader fight against financial crimes.
The incident is the latest in a series of cases involving the interception of undeclared foreign currencies at Nigerian airports. In a related development reported in October 2025, security operatives at the Murtala Muhammed Airport domestic terminal (MMA1) arrested several passengers allegedly found with $6.1 million in cash.
The suspects, described as young men, were intercepted while attempting to board an Aero Contractors flight. Security sources alleged that they were acting as couriers for a politically exposed person, though further details, including their identities and destination, were not immediately made public.