A 39-year-old Nigerian businessman and Lagos-based real estate executive, Edwin Omokhuale, who is wanted by the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) over an alleged £17 million fraud, has been arrested in Dublin, Ireland.
Omokhuale was detained by officers of An Garda Síochána at Dublin Airport on Wednesday afternoon, shortly before he was due to board a flight to Paris.
His arrest followed a warrant issued by UK authorities in connection with an alleged fraud involving an Australian mining company in early 2023. According to the NCA, the alleged scheme involved about US$23 million, equivalent to approximately £17 million.
The agency said investigators believe those involved in the alleged fraud were based in the UK and deceived employees of the Australian company into transferring money to bank accounts controlled by them.
“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.
The agency 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.”
The NCA said Omokhuale was living in the UK at the time of the alleged fraud and is wanted in connection with money laundering charges arising from the case.
“The alleged fraudsters, who investigators believe were UK-based, are suspected of deceiving company employees into sending money to accounts they controlled,” the agency stated.
Following his arrest, Omokhuale was scheduled to appear before a Dublin court on Thursday, September 10, as proceedings began for his possible extradition to the UK to face the charges.
The NCA said the arrest was carried out with the assistance of Irish authorities. The extradition proceedings are expected to determine whether Omokhuale will be surrendered to UK authorities to face prosecution.
The allegations against Omokhuale have not been determined by a court. His arrest and the ongoing extradition proceedings do not amount to a finding of guilt.
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