A 39-year-old Nigerian businessman, Edwin Omokhuale, has been arrested at Dublin Airport in Ireland over his alleged connection to a fraud case involving approximately $23 million.
Omokhuale, who is reportedly wanted by the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, was arrested by officers of An Garda Síochána on Wednesday while preparing to board a flight to Paris.
His arrest followed a warrant issued by UK authorities in connection with alleged money laundering linked to a major fraud involving an Australian mining company in early 2023.
Investigators believe the fraud, valued at about US$23 million, or approximately €19.7 million, was carried out by individuals operating from the UK. The suspects allegedly deceived employees of the mining company into transferring large sums of money into bank accounts controlled by the fraudsters.
Reports indicate that Omokhuale was living in the UK when the alleged fraud occurred.
The Nigerian businessman, who has been identified in reports as a Lagos-based real estate executive, is expected to appear before a court in Dublin on Thursday, September 10, as authorities begin extradition proceedings to determine whether he will be returned to the UK to face the allegations.
The case remains ongoing, and the allegations against Omokhuale have not been proven in court.
