Nigerian-Australian man arrested in $5m fraud

A 38-year-old Nigerian-Australian man, Foluso Omole, has been arrested at the Adelaide Airport in Australia while trying to flee the country to Nigeria after he was charged with fraud amounting to over $5 million.

Foluso Omole, who resides in Australia, was charged with his involvement in $5 million National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) fraud.

Mr Omole, who appeared in court earlier this week, holds dual Australian and Nigerian citizenship and had already purchased a one-way ticket to Nigeria in a bid to escape prosecution from Australian authorities before he was arrested at the airport.

The prosecutor alleged that Mr. Omole improperly received information from an employee of the NDIS over six years, which he used to fraudulently obtain benefits.

Mark Twiggs, the counsel to Omole, argued before the court that “The charges against his client are denied. He has no records at all. My client has a good reason why he should be given bail.”

However, the presiding magistrate in the case of Patrick Hill denied Omole bail on the ground that he posed a flight risk.

“Whether it was a one-way ticket to Nigeria or a return ticket to London does make a difference as to the court’s assessment of whether or not Mr. Omole is a flight risk.” Mr. Hill said.

“For the reasons put forward by the prosecution, in any event, I remain concerned that he is a risk of flight and the application for bail is refused,” he noted.

Mr Omole’s prosecution will continue in September.

Source: 9News Australia