$350,000 Scam : 'I Can't Be Held Responsible For The Actions Of An Adult' - Gov Abiodun

...Governor Suspends Aide, Abidemi Fatai

                  •Abidemi Fatai

Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta

Governor Dapo Abiodun on Tuesday  suspended his political appointee, Abidemi Rufai, over his alleged involvement in employment scam in New York.

Bank records indicate that $288,825 was allegedly deposited into his bank account of the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abiodun and former House of Representatives aspirant.

Rufai who lives in Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria suspected in Washington state’s $650 million unemployment fraud, was arrested Friday at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport by federal agents as he allegedly attempted to leave the country.

He was subsequently dragged to a 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.

But reacting through his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, Abiodun distanced himself trom the aide and the alleged fraud, saying the news of Abidemi's involvement in it is disturbing.

The Governor added that he  (Abiodun)"Governor cannot be held responsible for the actions of a full grown adult."

"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.

"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 in 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," he said.