The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has sacked his Senior Special Assistant, Abidemi Rufai who was found culpable of wire fraud in the US.
In a statement published on its various websites, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kunle Somorin,
Ogun State Government – OGSG@OGSG_Official“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. Kunle Somorin Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Dapo Abiodun”
Giving more insights into the said fraud, US Washington State Employment Security Acting Attorney, Tessa M Gorman said that over $288,000 was deposited into an American bank account controlled by Rufai between March and August 2020.
Others were wired to bank accounts controlled by ‘money mules. Some of the proceeds were then mailed to the Jamaica, New York address of Rufai’s relative.
Donald Voiret, Special Agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Seattle added that, “Greed is a powerful motivator. Unfortunately, the greed alleged to this defendant affects all taxpayers.”
Back home in Nigeria, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State described Rufai’s arrest as embarrassing.
The Ogun State Chairman of PDP, Sikitullah Ogundele told newsmen that Abidemi Rufai’s arrest is a testament to the fact that people of questionable character are in Nigeria’s political system.
According to him, “People of questionable character should be kept away from our system. It is unfortunate that the Governor of Ogun State has chosen somebody of questionable character nd it is an embarrassment to the entire state.
“It is not the fault of any person that he appointed him, but personalities must be well vetted before they are given appointments.”
Read also:
SSA To Ogun State Governor, Abidemi Rufai Arrested for Fraud in New York (video)
Massive Fraud: SSA to Ogun State Governor, Abidemi Rufai Faces 30-Year Jail Term in US
Ogun Governor Sacks Rufai