Abiodun suspends aide arrested in US for $350,000 fraud

 

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has suspended his Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Abidemi Rufai, who was arrested in the United States for falsely receiving $350,000, in COVID-19 relief benefit.

Rufai was arrested on Friday evening at the John F Kennedy International Airport in New York, while trying to leave the States, based on criminal complaint.

He was subsequently charged with defrauding Washington State Employment Security Department of over $350,000.

Abiodun’s Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, announced Rufai’s suspension on Tuesday, stating that his involvement in fraud was disturbing.

READ: Ogun State governor’s aide arrested in US for $350,000 fraud

In a statement he issued titled, ‘Gov. Abiodun suspends Rufai, condemns unlawful acts’ Somorin said: “The Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has received the very disturbing news of the arrest of one of his political appointees, Mr Abidemi Rufai, in New York over alleged unemployment benefits fraud in the United States.

“In view of the gravity of these allegations, the Governor has ordered the immediate suspension of the accused appointee.

“The Governor wishes to restate his commitment to an open, transparent, accountable and morally upright Administration and will not condone any act bordering on criminality by anyone.”