An Extradition has been ordered for a man who was arrested in Dublin Airport in connection with a $23 million money laundering scheme in the UK.
39 year old Edwin Omokhuale was arrested over an invoice re-direct fraud, which had been allegedly carried out against an Australian coal mining company. He is accused of arranging a transfer of the proceeds to several Chinese and Turkish bank accounts.
It was previously told how the accused became involved in a money laundering arrangement contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act and how an Australian coal mining company was deceived into making six payments to the sum of $22,782,663, the Irish Independent reported.
The court also heard how he had participated in the money being moved from the company's Australia and New Zealand Banking Group account to an alleged fraudulently set up National Australian Bank account.
It was reportedly transferred on an invoice re-direct fraud practised with the finance staff of the mine company, who had reportedly recovered via the banking system $1,589,867, with a total of $20,967,795 being paid to the impersonating account.
This bank account had reportedly pretended to be a legitimate bank account held by the company.
The case was adjourned at the High Court by Mr Justice Patrick McGrath yesterday for an extradition hearing to take place later today. The accused has been remanded in custody.
Speaking in court, Detective Garda Edel Keoghan told of how she arrested Mr Omokhuale, who is a UK citizen originally from Nigeria, at the departure gates at Dublin Airport Terminal One on a UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement warrant.
The warrant had claimed that it was clear to see that the man in question had arranged for the proceeds to be transferred for the fraud of several Chinese and Turkish bank accounts.
The High Court had endorsed this warrant, which was issued by Westminster Magistrate's in London on Wednesday.
Mr Omokhuale had confirmed his name, date of birth, and place of birth in Lagos, Nigeria.
After he was taken to the airport's garda station, Mr Omokhaule was shown the warrant and his rights were also explained to him, included the right to have a lawyer present and interpreter.
He also reportedly replied "no", when asked if he knew what "this is about", according to the Irish Independent.
Bail was objected by Gardaí, while the accused's lawyer said he would bring a bail application at a later stage "in the usual way".
The Judge said he was satisfied that the person brought into court was the same person sought from the warrant. He also advised Mr Omokhuale of his rights, like the right to consent to his surrender to the UK.
He was remanded in custody for an extradition hearing later this month.
