By John Ogunsemore
Nigeria-born United States citizen, Oladapo Olalekan Fadugba risks 27 years in prison following his indictment for $690,000 wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and making a false statement during his US naturalisation process.
US Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, Gregory W. Kehoe announced the indictment in a statement released on Tuesday.
According to the indictment, Fadugba, 40, of Jacksonville, Florida, beginning on October 30, 2020, and ending no later than July 11, 2023, had more than $690,000 of Department of Veterans Affairs funds, intended for reimbursement to a large local healthcare provider, transferred to his own personal bank accounts.
He then allegedly wrote himself, or businesses associated with him, cheques that were then transferred to other bank accounts owned by him.
It is alleged that to procure the transfers, Fadugba used the identification of another individual.
The indictment further alleges that the Nigeria-born naturalised American made a false statement under oath during his naturalisation proceeding, falsely stating he had not committed any crime or offence for which he had not been arrested.
Kehoe said, “If convicted on all counts, Fadugba faces a maximum penalty of 27 years in federal prison.
“The indictment also notifies Fadugba that the United States is seeking an order of forfeiture in the amount of $400,000, which represents the approximate proceeds of the charged criminal conduct.”
The US Attorney noted that an indictment is merely a formal charge that the defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.