Nigerian Arrested for $5M Fraud Attempt in Australia

Foluso Omole, a 38-year-old dual citizen of Australia and Nigeria, was arrested by the Australian Federal Police at Adelaide Airport on a Friday while allegedly attempting to flee to Nigeria amid a $5 million fraud investigation involving the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). He appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday, where his bail application was denied due to concerns he posed a flight risk.

The court heard that Omole had purchased a one-way ticket to Nigeria and had "cut ties" in Adelaide. He was employed as an NDIS coordinator and operated two businesses at the time of the alleged offences.

Prosecutors claimed he improperly obtained information from a National Disability Insurance Agency employee over six years to commit fraud. Omole has yet to enter pleas to charges related to dealing with proceeds of crime exceeding $1 million.

His lawyer argued against the flight risk claim, stating Omole had a return ticket to London purchased prior to the investigation.