A 38-year-old Nigerian man, Foluso Omole, was arrested at Adelaide Airport in South Australia on Friday, August 14, over his involvement in a $5 million fraud targeting the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Omole was arrested while attempting to leave Australia for Nigeria, after purchasing a one-way ticket, according to court proceedings.
Prosecutors told the court that Omole obtained information from an employee of the NDIS over a six-year period and used the information to fraudulently obtain NDIS benefits.
The allegations relate to a fraud estimated at $5 million involving the government-funded disability support scheme.
Omole appeared before a court on Monday, August 17, where his lawyer, Mark Twiggs, denied the allegations and argued that his client should be granted bail.
Twiggs told the court that Omole had no criminal record and had good reason why he should be given bail.
However, Magistrate Patrick Hill rejected the bail application, citing concerns that Omole posed a flight risk.
The magistrate said Omole’s one-way ticket to Nigeria was a factor in assessing whether he was likely to leave Australia before the conclusion of the case.
“Whether it was a one-way ticket to Nigeria or a return ticket to London do make a difference as to the court’s assessment of whether or not Mr Omole is a flight risk,” Hill said.
Hill said he remained concerned about the possibility of Omole fleeing the country and consequently refused to grant him bail.
Omole is expected to return to court in September as proceedings over the allegations continue.
The NDIS provides funding and support to eligible Australians with permanent and significant disabilities.
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