The
Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign
Affairs and Diaspora has given more insight into the circumstances
surrounding the arrest of a Nigerian, Mr Okufolajimi Abegunde in US
since June 25, 2018 even though till date there was no official
correspondence to the effect from the family.2. However, that
notwithstanding, these are the facts of the matter :(a) A US department
of Justice has since June 2018 arrested and charged eight people
including Mr Abegunde for cybercrime and business email compromise
conspiracy.(b) They were alleged to have defrauded some US Companies and
individuals to the tune of $15 Million USD.(c) However, Mr Abegunde
claimed innocence, saying his address was used by a friend of his, Mr
Ayodeji Ojo, who has apparently been previously charged with conspiracy
to commit fraud and is currently at large.(d) Mr Abegunde along with the
7 others, currently have a criminal case against them in the US, . Mr
Abegunde had his detention hearing on June 25th.(e) However, when the
Nigerian consulate in Atlanta became aware of the detention of Mr
Abegunde, who claimed innocence,a letter was written to the West
Tennessee Detention Facility in Mason, Tennessee (where he is detained)
requesting consular access.3. The consulate in Atlanta is awaiting
response for consular access to Mr Abegunde through the US Department
of State in Washington. , without which the mission cannot visit him4.
The case of Mr Abegunde underscores the need for our citizens to be
careful of how they deal with people, even acquaintances, especially
when it comes to financial matters.5. Mr Abegunde ‘s pleas that his
friend, Mr Ayodeji Olumide Ojo, usedhis address to open a bank account
in a US bank, will hopefully be proven right in court6. Unfortunately,
Mr Ojo , his friend, who has been previously indicted by the US
Department of Justice and charged with conspiracy to commit fraud is
currently on the run7. The consulate will undertake a consular visit to
Mr Abegunde as soon as consular access is granted by the US
authorities.8. Please find attached a detailed report by the US Justice
department on the matter:http://bit.ly/2AdO32J BalogunS.A.Media to Hon.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa.Nigerian detained in US, our findings - Abike Dabiri
The
Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign
Affairs and Diaspora has given more insight into the circumstances
surrounding the arrest of a Nigerian, Mr Okufolajimi Abegunde in US
since June 25, 2018 even though till date there was no official
correspondence to the effect from the family.2. However, that
notwithstanding, these are the facts of the matter :(a) A US department
of Justice has since June 2018 arrested and charged eight people
including Mr Abegunde for cybercrime and business email compromise
conspiracy.(b) They were alleged to have defrauded some US Companies and
individuals to the tune of $15 Million USD.(c) However, Mr Abegunde
claimed innocence, saying his address was used by a friend of his, Mr
Ayodeji Ojo, who has apparently been previously charged with conspiracy
to commit fraud and is currently at large.(d) Mr Abegunde along with the
7 others, currently have a criminal case against them in the US, . Mr
Abegunde had his detention hearing on June 25th.(e) However, when the
Nigerian consulate in Atlanta became aware of the detention of Mr
Abegunde, who claimed innocence,a letter was written to the West
Tennessee Detention Facility in Mason, Tennessee (where he is detained)
requesting consular access.3. The consulate in Atlanta is awaiting
response for consular access to Mr Abegunde through the US Department
of State in Washington. , without which the mission cannot visit him4.
The case of Mr Abegunde underscores the need for our citizens to be
careful of how they deal with people, even acquaintances, especially
when it comes to financial matters.5. Mr Abegunde ‘s pleas that his
friend, Mr Ayodeji Olumide Ojo, usedhis address to open a bank account
in a US bank, will hopefully be proven right in court6. Unfortunately,
Mr Ojo , his friend, who has been previously indicted by the US
Department of Justice and charged with conspiracy to commit fraud is
currently on the run7. The consulate will undertake a consular visit to
Mr Abegunde as soon as consular access is granted by the US
authorities.8. Please find attached a detailed report by the US Justice
department on the matter:http://bit.ly/2AdO32J BalogunS.A.Media to Hon.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
