Ogun Governor Suspends Aide Arrested In New York Over Unemployment, Wire Fraud

Posted by Oludare Fase African News, Featured, Latest Headlines, News, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Tuesday, May 18th, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has directed the suspension of his Senior Special Assistant, Abidemi Rufai, over his involvement in wire fraud in the United States of America.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kunle Somorin, confirmed this on Tuesday.

Somorin disclosed that Rufai is an appointee of the Ogun State Government and the governor cannot be held responsible for his conducts.

“I can confirm that he (Abidemi Rufai) is a political appointee of Gov Abiodun and we are disturbed by the news. His suspension has been ordered. That I can confirm to you.

“The governor cannot be held responsible for his conduct. He has been suspended to answer charges. He is presumed innocent. He should face the law and answer the charges against him,” Somorin said.

The African Examiner reports that Rufai was arrested on Friday at JFK Airport in New York for allegedly stealing over $350,000 unemployment benefit claims through wire fraud in Washington state.

According to available information, the fund was from the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD).

The government of Washington had reserved the fund as unemployment benefits for residents during the COVID-19 lockdown.

However, Abidemi Rufai, disguised as Sandy Tang, 42, to perpetrate fraud and made his initial appearance on Saturday May 15, 2021 in New York court.

He is scheduled for a detention hearing on Wednesday.