News
EFCC Presents Second Witness In Trial Of Austrian For Undeclared $800,575, €651,505 At Lagos Airport
EFCC Presents Second Witness In Trial Of Austrian For Undeclared $800,575, €651,505 At Lagos Airport
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, opposed the defence’s bid to adjourn the trial of an Austrian national arrested by the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, for allegedly failing to declare $800,575 and €651,505 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
The defendant, Kavlak Onal, who was scheduled to travel to Dubai aboard Emirates Airline, was intercepted by operatives of the NCS during a routine check at the Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism, AML/CFT, Currency Declaration Desk on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, and was subsequently handed over to the EFCC for further investigation.
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Upon conclusion of investigation, he was arraigned on Friday, January 9, 2026, before Justice Yelim Bogoro of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on a two-count charge bordering on money laundering.
Count one reads:
“That you, Mr. Kavlak Onal, on December 13, 2025, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, failed to make a declaration of the sum of $800,575 (Eight Hundred Thousand, Five Hundred and Seventy-Five United States Dollars) to the Nigeria Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Count two reads:
“That you, Mr. Kavlak Onal, on December 13, 2025, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, failed to make a declaration of the sum of €651,505 (Six Hundred and Fifty-One Thousand, Five Hundred and Five Euros) to the Nigeria Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charges preferred against him.
At the resumed sitting on Tuesday, Omon Omofona, who appeared for the defence, informed the court that the lead counsel was attending to another matter in a different court and sought an adjournment.
In response, the prosecution counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, informed the court that accelerated hearing had earlier been granted in the matter.
Citing relevant laws, Buhari stated that “The witness is on official assignment, but left his duty post to be here.
“It is proper that the counsel already present in court be briefed on the matter and proceed accordingly.
“This is a criminal trial, and the image of the country is also at stake.”
While acknowledging the prosecution’s argument that the matter was a criminal trial, Omofona pleaded with the court to grant the adjournment application in the interest of fair hearing.
In her ruling, Justice Bogoro held that the counsel present in court should take note of proceedings and brief the lead counsel accordingly, adding that a date would be fixed for cross-examination.
The judge consequently ordered that the trial should proceed.
Thereafter, Buhari presented the second prosecution witness, PW2, Sani Ibrahim, an operative of the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS.
Led in evidence by Buhari, the witness, who is attached to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, told the court that he met the defendant in December 2025 after a colleague informed him about a passenger travelling to Dubai aboard Emirates Airline.
According to him: “My colleague requested that I assist the defendant into the departure hall after he had collected his boarding pass.
“My colleague also informed me that the passenger was ill.
“So, I went to the Emirates Airline counter and met the defendant.
“I collected his passport and boarding pass and asked him to follow me into the departure hall.”
Continuing his testimony, the witness said: “The defendant told me he was ill and requested that I take him to the lounge inside the airport.
“I cleared him and took him to the AVSEC Aviation Security point, where his luggage was to be screened.

EFCC
“After the bag was scanned, AVSEC personnel discovered suspicious items inside the bag.
“At that point, I asked him what was inside the bag, and he said they were medicines and other personal belongings.
“He, however, did not mention that he had money inside the bag.”
The witness further stated that he later escorted the defendant to officials of the Nigeria Customs Service for currency declaration.
“I told Sulaiman, a Customs officer, that he was a passenger travelling aboard Emirates Airline and that he was ill.
“Sulaiman asked the defendant whether he had any currency to declare, and the defendant answered, ‘No.’
“They then requested to search the bag, and the defendant consented.”
He added that during the search, Customs officers discovered an envelope containing United States dollars, which prompted a more thorough search.
“In the process, they discovered a huge amount of money, the likes of which I had never seen in my life,” he said.
The witness further told the court that the defendant was immediately taken to the Customs office, after which he informed his superior officer about the development.
According to him, the Customs officer subsequently requested the defendant to make a written statement.
Justice Bogoro, thereafter, adjourned the matter till July 13, 2026, for the cross-examination of the second prosecution witness.
News
Naval Chief Idi Abbas Pushes Manpower Development For Safe Navigation, Blue Economy
Naval Chief Idi Abbas Pushes Manpower Development For Safe Navigation, Blue Economy
The chief of naval staff, Idi Abbas, has underscored the critical role of manpower development in ensuring safe navigation and driving Nigeria’s blue economy.
Mr Abbas said this on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the hydrographer of the federation, Olumide Fadahunsi, to naval headquarters in Abuja, according to a statement on Tuesday.
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Mr Abbas reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to supporting the National Hydrographic Agency, particularly in the areas of manpower provision and capacity building.
He noted that a highly skilled hydrographic workforce remained vital to naval operations and maritime domain awareness.
The naval chief also lauded the agency for its outstanding hydrographic activities in Cross River and Imo, which he said had earned widespread recognition.
He urged the agency to deepen local capacity development by producing training charts for institutions such as the Nigerian Defence Academy Naval Wing and Nigerian Navy Training Schools.
He congratulated Mr Fadahunsi on his appointment and commended the strategic direction introduced under his leadership. He also encouraged the hydrographer to sustain the momentum by consolidating on the achievements of his predecessor.
Mr Fadahunsi expressed appreciation to the naval chief for the Nigerian navy’s sustained support to the agency.
He said that upon assuming office, he conducted a comprehensive review of the agency’s operations and subsequently developed a strategic plan that prioritised manpower development as a key enabler for maritime safety and economic growth.
The hydrographer noted that personnel of the navy constituted a significant proportion of the agency’s workforce. According to him, this underscores the longstanding institutional synergy between both organisations.

Naval Chief Idi Abbas
He further revealed plans to boost female participation in hydrography, in line with the global drive by the International Hydrographic Organisation to promote inclusivity and gender balance in the field.
The visit reinforced the navy’s commitment to strengthening hydrographic capabilities as a cornerstone of maritime governance, navigational safety, and sustainable national development.
News
NAF Advances Non-kinetic Operations Through Strategic Medical Outreach In Maiduguri
NAF Advances Non-kinetic Operations Through Strategic Medical Outreach In Maiduguri
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) 105 Composite Group Medical Centre, NAF Base Maiduguri, has conducted a series of impactful medical outreaches and humanitarian activities aimed at strengthening ongoing non-kinetic operations and enhancing civil-military cooperation in Borno State.
The 3-day programme, organised as part of the 2026 Nurses Week, aligns with the vision of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, for a people-centric and community-focused NAF. Activities included health education campaigns, school outreaches, and recognition of outstanding nursing personnel.
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Flagging off the event, the Unit Commander, Group Captain KO Nwachukwu, commended NAF nurses for their professionalism, sacrifice, and dedication to service delivery within operational environments. The outreach featured awareness rallies and health talks on hypertension, hygiene, HIV prevention, and safe health practices for both military personnel and civilians.
In support of ongoing cholera prevention efforts in the state, the medical team also visited Pompomari Primary and Junior Secondary School, where students received sensitisation on hand hygiene and sanitation, alongside the distribution of sanitary pads, liquid soap, disinfectants, and other hygiene materials.

NAF, Medical Outreach
The event attracted officials from the Borno State Ministry of Health and other public health stakeholders, further reinforcing collaboration between the Nigerian Air Force and civil institutions in promoting community wellbeing and public trust.
The outreach underscored the NAF’s commitment to leveraging humanitarian and people-focused initiatives as critical enablers of counter-insurgency operations, national security, and sustainable peace in the North-East.
News
NPF Lament Rising Deforestation In Jigawa
NPF Lament Rising Deforestation In Jigawa
The police commissioner in Jigawa, Haruna Yahaya, has expressed concern over the spate of deforestation caused by indiscriminate tree felling.
Mr Yahaya said this on Tuesday during a homage visit to the Emir of Kazaure, Najib Hussaini Adamu, according to a statement on Tuesday by Shiisu Adam, spokesman of the command.
Mr Yahaya attributed deforestation to indiscriminate logging in spite of threats to environmental sustainability and public safety. He urged local authorities and community leaders to support efforts to tackle the menace.
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The commissioner also decry the increase in cases of mob action, jungle justice and culpable homicide, warning residents against taking the law into their own hands.
Mr Yahaya advised the people to report suspected criminals and disputes to security agencies for lawful intervention rather than resorting to violence.
The police chief also met with council chairmen and other stakeholders as part of efforts to strengthen security collaboration and community policing initiatives.
“The CP emphasised the command’s readiness to ensure a secure and violence-free electoral atmosphere before, during and after the elections.

Police
“The police will continue to contribute to avoid road accidents, loss of lives, and other criminal activities in the state,” the statement said.
While assuring personnel of improved welfare and operational efficiency, Mr Yahaya underscored the importance of intelligence sharing, community participation in crime prevention through strong synergy among security agencies, traditional institutions, local authorities, and vigilantes.
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