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."
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