Kavlak Onal, an Austrian national, is the subject of an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, regarding the alleged non-declaration of foreign currencies totaling $800,575 and €651,505 (more than N2.2 billion) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos. Onal was detained by Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) agents on Tuesday while trying to board an aircraft to Dubai operated by Emirates Airlines. The finding of the unreported amounts in his possession, which violated Nigeria’s foreign exchange and anti-money laundering laws, led to his arrest. During a press conference on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, Comptroller Chidi Nwokorie, the MMIA Command’s Customs Area Controller, revealed the seizure.He revealed that the money that was intercepted was between €651,505 and $800,575. Nwokorie claims that the interception demonstrates the Service’s unwavering determination to stop financial crimes, stop illegal financial flows, and safeguard Nigeria’s national security and economic stability. Speaking on behalf of the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, ACE II Adejumo Richard, Head of the EFCC’s Foreign Exchange Malpractices Section (FEMS), praised the Nigeria Customs Service for its cooperation and professionalism while receiving the suspect from the Customs authorities. “I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and praise to the Nigerian Customs Service for its exceptional work and remarkable cooperation thus far. Your commitment to duty and spirit of cooperation have been crucial in furthering our common goals,” he stated.
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