Gov. Dapo Abiodun Suspends Aide Arrested In Washington For $350k Fraud

Dapo Abiodun, the governor of Ogun State, has suspended his assistant Abidemi Rufai, who was arrested in the United States for alleged COVID-19 unemployment fraud of $350,000 (about N140 million).

On Tuesday, Mr Abiodun’s principal press secretary, Kunle Somorin, confirmed the suspension to PREMIUM TIMES.

In a Whatsapp interview, Mr Somorin stated, “Our opinion is that the law should run its course.”

“In the meanwhile, the governor has ordered his immediate suspension from office while he faces charges.”

According to sources within the government, the governor took action as soon as he was informed of Mr Rufai’s arrest.

Mr Rufai, Mr Abiodun’s Senior Special Assistant, was arrested last Friday at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York before boarding a flight to Amsterdam, according to NEWS DIRECT.

He has a detention hearing scheduled for Wednesday.

Unemployment funds from the Washington State Employment Security Department are claimed to have been wired.

According to the United States Department of Justice, wire fraud involving benefits provided in connection with a presidentially declared disaster or emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, is punishable by up to 30 years in jail.