Lagos Real Estate Executive Nabbed at Dublin Airport over Alleged $23m Fraud

….Faces UK Extradition

A Nigerian businessman and Lagos-based real estate executive, Edwin Omokhuale, has been arrested at Dublin Airport, Ireland, over his alleged involvement in a staggering $23 million fraud targeting an Australian mining company.Geographic Reference

Omokhuale, 39, was arrested by officers of Ireland’s national police service, An Garda Síochána, on Wednesday afternoon as he prepared to board a flight to Paris, France.

The arrest was made on a warrant issued by authorities in the United Kingdom, where Omokhuale is wanted in connection with money laundering charges arising from the alleged multi-million-dollar fraud.

According to the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), the case centres on an alleged fraud committed against an Australian mining company in early 2023, involving approximately $23 million, about £17 million or €19 million.Crime & Justice

Investigators believe individuals operating from the United Kingdom allegedly deceived employees of the mining company into transferring huge sums of money into bank accounts controlled by the suspected fraud network.

Omokhuale was reportedly resident in the UK at the time of the alleged offence and is now wanted to answer money laundering charges connected with the movement of the proceeds.

His arrest at Dublin Airport triggered extradition proceedings aimed at returning him to Britain to face the charges.

He was due to appear before a court in Dublin on Thursday as the legal process for his possible extradition commenced.

The arrest represents another example of increasing cooperation between British and Irish law-enforcement agencies in tackling alleged cross-border financial crime.

The NCA said the investigation centred on suspicions that UK-based individuals manipulated employees of the Australian company into transferring funds to accounts under their control.

Omokhuale’s arrest and the commencement of extradition proceedings do not constitute a finding of guilt. The allegations against him remain subject to determination by the appropriate courts.