A United States 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.
WITHIN NIGERIA recalls that 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.”