A 39-year-old Nigerian businessman and Lagos-based real estate CEO, Edwin Omokhuale, wanted by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) over an alleged multi-million-pound fraud, has been arrested in Dublin, Ireland.
Omokhuale was arrested by officers from An Garda Síochána at Dublin Airport on Wednesday afternoon while he was about to board a flight to Paris.
The arrest followed a UK-issued warrant in connection with an alleged fraud committed against an Australian mining company in early 2023.
According to the NCA, the fraud involved approximately US$23 million, equivalent to about £17 million.
The agency said the alleged fraudsters, whom investigators believe were based in the UK, deceived employees of the Australian company into transferring money to accounts they controlled.
“Edwin Omokhuale, 39, was detained on an arrest warrant issued by the UK by officers from An Garda Síochána just prior to boarding a flight to Paris at Dublin Airport on Wednesday afternoon,” the NCA said.
It added that Omokhuale “faces charges of money laundering in connection with a fraud committed against an Australian mining company of around US$23 million (approx. £17 million) in early 2023.”
Omokhuale, who lived in the UK at the time of the alleged fraud, is wanted in connection with money laundering charges arising from the case.
The NCA said he was due to appear before a court in Dublin on Thursday, September 10, as extradition proceedings to return him to the UK commenced.
The agency said the arrest was made with the assistance of Irish authorities.
“The alleged fraudsters, who investigators believe were UK-based, are suspected of deceiving company employees into sending money to accounts they controlled,” the NCA said.
The allegations against Omokhuale are yet to be tested in court.
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