A Nigerian man living in Australia, Foluso Omole, is on trial for his alleged role in a $5 million fraud linked to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
PUNCH Metro learned on Wednesday from an ABC News report that Omole was arrested by the Australian Federal Police at Adelaide Airport last Friday. He was reportedly trying to leave Australia when he was caught.
The report states that Omole had apparently “cut ties” in Adelaide and was getting ready to travel back to Nigeria. This information came out in court.
The 38-year-old faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday. His bail application was denied because he was accused of trying to escape to Nigeria.
The court heard that Omole, who holds dual citizenship in Australia and Nigeria, had “purchased a one-way ticket to Nigeria” before he was arrested.
A prosecutor stated in court that Omole had sent “significant funds back to Nigeria” during his alleged crimes. His wife lives there.
At the time of the alleged fraud, Omole was working as an NDIS coordinator and running two businesses with several employees.
The prosecutor also claimed that Omole had “improperly” received information from a woman working at the National Disability Insurance Agency over six years. He allegedly used this information to commit fraud.
This woman has also been charged in connection with the fraud and is expected to appear in court on Thursday.
Omole's lawyer, Mark Twiggs, argued against the claim that his client planned to flee. He said Omole had told him he intended to travel to London on a “return ticket” bought before any police action against the woman.
“The charges are denied. He has no criminal record at all.
“My client has good reasons to be granted bail,” Twiggs said.
Omole has not yet pleaded to one charge of dealing with proceeds of an indictable crime worth over $1 million and another charge of dealing with money or property valued above $1 million that is said to be from crime.
Magistrate Patrick Hill, however, denied bail, saying there were concerns about Omole being a flight risk.
“Whether it was a one-way ticket to Nigeria or a return ticket to London does make a difference in the court’s view on whether Mr. Omole is a flight risk.
“For other reasons mentioned by the prosecution, I still believe he is a flight risk, and the bail application is refused,” Hill said.
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