Korede Abdullah in Lagos
Bidemi Rufai, a 46-year-old aide to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, is reported to have been released from a US prison after serving time for his involvement in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme.
Rufai was arrested in May 2021 at John F. Kennedy airport while attempting to flee to Nigeria. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was ordered to pay $607,000 in restitution to US government agencies across multiple states.
Rufai’s initial release date was set for February 2025, but his motion to reduce his sentence was approved, leading to his early release.
Following his conviction, a Nigerian court ordered the seizure of his Lekki mansion in Lagos and bank accounts after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed fraud charges against him.
Rufai’s case is notable due to his high-profile connections and social media influence.
He is one of three infamous Nigerian internet fraudsters, along with Ray “Hushpuppi” Abbas and Jacob Olalekan Ponle (Mr. Woodberry), currently serving or having served time in US prisons.
Rufai’s release comes with the condition of deportation, marking the end of his US incarceration and the beginning of his return to Nigeria to face ongoing legal proceedings.
