Suspended Abiodun’s aide fails to meet bail conditions

 • Governor Dapo Abiodun Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Special Duties, Abidemi Rufai failed to meet his bail conditions

 • His brother Alaba Rufai couldn't afford the $300,000 surety bond for his bail

 • He is alleged to be involved in a $350m unemployment benefits fraud in respect of coronavirus pandemic

Abidemi Rufai, the suspended aide to Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun has failed to meet his bail conditions in the U.S.

The Federal Magistrates' in New York, USA, rejected his bail application after appearing before Magistrate Ramon Reyes yesterday.

Rufai’s lawyer, Michael Barrows of Garden City, New York, said the suspect’s brother, Alaba Rufai, who is listed in the court records, told the court that he could not afford the $300,000 surety bond for his bail.

It was learned that Rufai’s brother also refused to serve as his third-party custodian, The Nations reports.

He will be transported to the Western District of Washington where his trial will begin.

The 42-years-old was arrested at the JFK Airport in New York on Friday, May 14 on a criminal complaint charging him with wire fraud for his scheme to steal over $350,000 in unemployment benefits from the Washington State Employment Security Department, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman.

Governor Dapo Abiodun, speaking through Kunle Somorin, said the news of his aide's involvement in fraud is disturbing.

“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.