Irish authorities have arrested a Nigerian businessman, Edwin Omokhuale, over an alleged €19 million fraud involving an Australian mining company.
Omokhuale, 39, was arrested by officers of An Garda Síochána, Ireland’s national police service, at Dublin Airport on Thursday.
He was reportedly detained as he was about to board a flight to Paris, following an arrest warrant issued by authorities in the United Kingdom.
The Irish national broadcaster, RTÉ, reported that Omokhuale had been declared wanted by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) in connection with a multi-million-pound fraud investigation.
According to the report, the alleged fraud was committed against an Australian mining company in early 2023 and involved approximately $23 million, equivalent to about €19 million.
Omokhuale was reportedly living in the UK at the time the alleged fraud took place.
Irish authorities said he was detained on the UK-issued warrant and would face charges of money laundering in connection with the alleged financial crime.
Following his arrest, the process of extraditing him to the UK has begun.
Omokhuale is expected to appear before a court in Dublin as the Irish authorities commence proceedings to facilitate his return to Britain.
The court process in Ireland is expected to determine the legal steps required for his extradition, after which he could be transferred to the UK to face the allegations against him.
The precise circumstances of the alleged fraud, including how the $23 million was obtained, the transactions involved and Omokhuale’s specific role, were not disclosed in the report.
