Breaking: Governor Abiodun Suspends Aide Arrested in US Over Alleged $350k Fraud
- Abidemi Rufai has been suspended by Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state
- Rufai, who was SSA to Abiodun on special duties, was arrested by the US govt on charges of fraud
- The governor, however, said that he could not be held responsible for Rufai's action or inaction
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Hours after his arrest by the US government, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state has suspended his senior special assistant on special duties, Abidemi Rufai.
Rufai was arrested in New York by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over his alleged involvement in $350,000 unemployment benefits fraud in respect of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: Facebook
While reacting through his chief press secretary, Kunle Somorin, Governor Abiodun said the news of his aide’s involvement in fraud is disturbing, The Nation reports.
The governor, however, said he cannot be held responsible for the actions of a full-grown adult.
He stated:
“We received the very disturbing news of the arrest of one of the governor’s political appointees, Mr. Abidemi Rufai in New York over alleged unemployment benefits and fraud in the United States, this morning."
PM News reports that Abiodun also condemned any act capable of undermining his determination to institute an open, transparent, accountable and morally upright behaviour in the state and in governance.
He added that he remains committed to his agenda of building the future of the state, saying that he would not condone criminals either in his government or the state in general.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported the arrest of Rufai in the United States.
It was reported that Rufai was quizzed by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation on Saturday, May 15, at the John F Kennedy International Airport in New York following a criminal complaint.
He was subsequently charged with defrauding the Washington State Employment Security Department of over $350,000.
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In a related report, one Aminat Jimoh, Olalekan Oladehinbo Adenuga and several others were arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) for impersonating the speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The imposters were nabbed by the DSS Lagos state command following a letter of complaint from the speaker’s office.
In a letter dated Thursday, April 22, Gbajabiamila's office had called for an investigation following the reports of incessant use of the speaker's name to commit criminal activities.
Source: Legit.ng
