Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned an Austrian national, Kavlak Onal, over allegations that he failed to declare large sums of foreign currency while attempting to leave the country through Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos.

The development was confirmed on Friday by the EFCC in a statement shared via its official X handle. According to the Commission, the charges stem from Onal’s alleged possession of $800,575 and €651,505, which were not declared in line with Nigeria’s foreign exchange and anti-money laundering regulations.

The case has once again drawn attention to persistent concerns around cross-border cash movements, airport surveillance, and the enforcement of currency declaration laws at Nigeria’s international gateways.

Arrest at Lagos airport while travelling to Dubai

According to the EFCC, Onal was arrested by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, at the Lagos airport while attempting to board an Emirates Airlines flight to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The arrest occurred on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, after Customs officers allegedly discovered the foreign currencies in his possession during routine checks. The funds were said to be concealed and not declared as required by law before departure.

Following his arrest, the Customs Service handed the suspect over to operatives of the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 for further investigation and prosecution.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that EFCC investigators began probing the circumstances surrounding the interception shortly after Onal was transferred to the Commission, with a focus on whether the funds were linked to illicit financial flows or other financial crimes.

EFCC confirms arraignment and charges

In its public update, the EFCC stated: “EFCC arraigns Austrian for undeclared $800,585, €651,505 at Lagos airport.”

While the Commission’s social media post did not provide details of the court proceedings, EFCC sources confirmed that the charges relate to alleged violations of Nigeria’s money laundering and foreign exchange laws, which require travellers to declare cash above approved thresholds when entering or leaving the country.

Under Nigerian law, failure to declare such sums can attract criminal prosecution, forfeiture of the funds, or both, depending on the outcome of the case

Commendation for Customs Service cooperation

While 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, praised the role of the NCS in the operation.

Richard, who spoke on behalf of the EFCC’s Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, described the interception as a product of effective inter-agency collaboration.

“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.

He added, “Your dedication to duty and collaborative spirit have been instrumental in advancing our shared objectives.”

Anti-corruption analysts say such public acknowledgements are intended to reinforce cooperation among security agencies, particularly at airports where overlapping mandates can sometimes hinder swift enforcement.

Legal context and why declaration matters

Nigeria’s currency declaration regime is part of broader efforts to curb money laundering, terrorism financing, and illicit capital flight. Travellers are required to declare cash above specified limits to the relevant authorities, including Customs and the Central Bank of Nigeria, depending on the transaction.

According to financial crime experts, undeclared cash movements pose a significant risk to economic stability, as they can be linked to tax evasion, corruption proceeds, or organised crime.

A Lagos-based financial crimes analyst, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said airport interceptions such as this one highlight both progress and persistent vulnerabilities.

“The fact that the money was intercepted shows improved vigilance,” the analyst said. “However, the frequency of these cases suggests that Nigeria remains a transit point for large volumes of cash, which raises questions about deterrence and enforcement consistency.”

Pattern of similar interceptions at Lagos airport

The case involving Onal adds to a growing list of incidents at Murtala Muhammed International Airport involving undeclared or suspicious cash movements.

In October 2025, SaharaReporters reported that security operatives at the domestic terminal, MMA1, arrested a group of passengers allegedly found with $6.1 million in cash. The suspects, described as young men, were intercepted while preparing to board an Aero Contractors flight.

Security sources familiar with that incident said the suspects were believed to be couriers for a politically exposed person, PEP, although their identities and destination were not immediately disclosed.

That case, like the current one, intensified debate around the use of cash couriers and the effectiveness of financial intelligence monitoring in Nigeria’s aviation sector.

Why this case matters now

The arraignment comes at a time when Nigerian authorities are under increased pressure, both locally and internationally, to strengthen anti-money laundering controls. Nigeria has faced scrutiny from global financial watchdogs in the past, with airport cash smuggling cited as a recurring concern.

By prosecuting high-profile and foreign-linked cases, the EFCC appears keen to send a signal that currency declaration rules apply to all travellers, regardless of nationality.

Legal experts say the outcome of the case could influence future enforcement strategies, particularly regarding outbound travellers and international routes known for high cash movement.

Attention will now shift to the court proceedings, including whether the EFCC will seek forfeiture of the seized funds and whether additional charges may emerge from the ongoing investigation.

Observers will also be watching for possible reforms or enhanced screening measures at Nigeria’s airports, especially as authorities seek to balance passenger convenience with tighter financial controls.

For now, the case underscores the central role of airports in Nigeria’s anti-corruption and financial crime enforcement efforts, as well as the growing emphasis on inter-agency cooperation.

The arraignment of Austrian national Kavlak Onal over allegedly undeclared foreign currency at Lagos airport highlights Nigeria’s continued battle against illicit financial flows. As investigations proceed, the case reinforces the importance of strict compliance with currency declaration laws and signals a renewed determination by authorities to close loopholes at key transit points.