[News] $350,000 fraud: US Court orders indefinite detention of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s suspended aide, Bidemi Rufai

United States District Court for the Western District of Washington at Tacoma, has ordered the indefinite detention of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s aide, Bidemi Rufai who is accused of being involved in $350,000 COVID-19 unemployment fraud in the United States.

 

The Ogun state Governor’s aide was arrested at a US airport on May 14, while on his way to Amsterdam. He was accused of using the identities of more than 100 Washington residents to steal more than $350,000 in unemployment benefits from the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) during the COVID-19 pandemic last year.

 

Rufai’s release on bail on Wednesday May 26, was stalled after United States Department of Justice raised an alarm of the surety he provided being a suspected fraudster.

 

The U.S. authorities said the surety provided, a nurse, Nekpen Soyemi is a suspected fraudster and should not be allowed to stand surety for Mr Rufai.

 

Rufai’s bail was denied following a move by the government for “a stay of the release order.” The order was granted by U.S. District Judge, Benjamin Settle.

 

It read;

 

“The release order is STAYED, and the defendant shall remain in custody pending this Court’s decision on the government’s motion for review.”