Abike Dabiri Disowns Governor’s Aide Arrested In U.S For Fraud

U.S attorneys say Rufai stole the identities of more than one hundred people in the state of Washington to funnel more than $350,000 in unemployment benefits into his own bank account.

Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has reacted to the recent financial fraud case involving Governor Dapo Abiodun’s aide, Abidemi Rufai, who is currently in FBI custody for masterminding an identity theft scheme which enabled him Defraud the Washington State Employment Security Department of more than $350,000.

Abidemi Rufai with his principal, Governor Dapo Abiodun

EkoHotBlog reported earlier that Abidemi Rufai was apprehended on Friday evening at the JFK Airport in New York while he was trying to flee the country, and will now be made to the full consequences of the law for his crime against the State of Washington.

U.S attorneys say Rufai stole the identities of more than one hundred people in the state of Washington to funnel more than $350,000 in unemployment benefits into his own bank account.

Interestingly, according to a recent report by KIRO7, Abidemi is also linked to a similar scam in ten other states in the US.

Following a publication on Twitter by FBI Seattle, confirming Rufai’s arrest, NiDCOM Boss, Abike Dabiri-Erewa took to the comment section of the tweet to disown Mr. Rufai’s action as not being reflective of the Nigerian identity.

Abike Dabiri, who described Mr. Rufai’s actions as “shameful,” noted that “Abidemi does not represent who we are as Nigerians.”

She reiterated the fact that Nigerians, by nature, are hardworking, determined, committed and enterprising people; and that given Abidemi’s decision to disgrace himself, he should be made to pay the price for his crime.

Abidemi Rufai joins an infamous list of Nigerians nabbed in recent memory for masterminding fraudulent schemes in the U.S. Ramon Abass, popularly known as ‘Hushpuppi,’ as well as fast-rising businessman, Invictus Obi, have also recently made the headlines for their culpabilities in similar fraudulent schemes in the United States.

Ronny Ikpoto

Edidiong-Ronny Ikpoto holds a First Class degree in Media Studies. He shares a healthy enthusiasm for journalism, social & literary criticism, and creative writing.