GOVERNOR Dapo Abiodun has suspended his aide, Abidemi Rufai, arrested in connection with a $350,000 unemployment fraud in the United States.
Rafiu was arrested on Friday at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport by federal agents as he allegedly attempted to leave the country.
He appeared in federal court Saturday on charges that he used the identities of more than 100 Washington residents to steal more than $350,000 in unemployment benefits from the Washington State Employment Security Department during the COVID-19 pandemic last year.
In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, today, Governor Abiodun expressed utmost disappointment by the act committed by his aide.
“We received the very disturbing news of the arrest of one of the governor’s political appointees, Mr Abidemi Rufai in New York over alleged unemployment benefits and fraud in the United States, this morning,” he said.
“While the Governor cannot be held responsible for the actions of a full grown adult, especially outside the jurisdiction of Ogun and Nigeria, he has since suspended the suspect from office to enable him answer the charges levelled against him.
“The Governor wishes to condemn any act capable of undermining his determination to institute an open, transparent, accountable and morally upright behaviour in the State and governance.
“Gov. Abiodun remains committed to his agenda of building our future together and will not condone criminals either in his government or the state in general.”
