TheNewsGuru

Tag: Dapo Abiodun

  • Gov. Abiodun appoints new Head of Service in Ogun

    Gov. Abiodun appoints new Head of Service in Ogun

    Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun has appointed Dr Nafiu Aigoro as the new Head of Civil Service in the state.

    This is contained in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Friday by Mr Tokunbo Talabi, the Secretary to the State Government.

    According to the statement, the appointment takes effect from Nov. 4.

    It stated that until his appointment, Aigoro was the Permanent Secretary, Hospitals Management Board.

    “He was born on March 25, 1963. Aigoro is a Consultant Orthopaedic/Trauma Surgeon with special interest in Anthroscopy and Arthroplasty.

    “He is a fellow of many professional bodies including, Nigeria Medical Association, Nigeria Orthopaedic Association, International College of Surgeons and SICOT – International Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Traumatologists.

    “He is a recipient of awards including, the best health worker award 2007 by the Ogun state government,” the statement announced.

    The immediate former Head of Civil Service, Alhaja Selimot Ottun, retired from the service on Thursday.

  • Ogun Governor, Dapo Abiodun loses 89-year-old father

    Ogun Governor, Dapo Abiodun loses 89-year-old father

    The Abiodun Family of Iperu-Remo, Ogun State has announced the passing on of their Patriach Dr Emmanuel Adesanya Abiodun, who died on Monday August 2, 2021 at the age of 89 after a brief illness.

    Dr Abiodun, a devout Christian, is survived by his wife, Mrs. Victoria Abiodun, many children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and other family members, amongst them the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun.

    A statement by the Family today in Iperu-Remo said the deceased, an Educationist, worked as a school teacher for many years across the old Western State and was fondly called “Baba Teacher” due to his dedication to duty imparting knowledge and inculcating the right values in his students.

    The statement by Governor Dapo Abiodun said further announcements would be made by the family in due course.

  • Gov Abiodun swears in 20 newly elected LG chairmen in Ogun

    Gov Abiodun swears in 20 newly elected LG chairmen in Ogun

    Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, has sworn in 20 newly elected local government councils chairmen of the state, following their victory at the July 24 poll.

    Speaking during the ceremony in Abeokuta on Monday, Abiodun promised to provide good governance which would continue to strengthen the local government administration in the state.

    He said that the election could have taken place earlier but for the outbreak of COVID-19 and the need to adhere strictly to the prevention protocols.

    He added that their assumption of office should bring a new vista of development to the people at the grassroots.

    Abiodun charged them to be inclusive, transparent, accountable, fair, equitable, obey the rule of law, provide good governance and be judicious.

    He urged them not to rely exclusively on allocations from the Federal Government, urging them to be creative in generating funds internally, as well as through the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model.

    “But in doing this, you can not afford to over-burden the people who are the essence and facilitators of your being in power.

    “You should take a cue from our approach at the state level by being cerebral, methodical, systemic and ensure strategic allocation of funds.

    “Let me assure you all that our administration at the state level will continue to support our council areas with funds where and when necessary.

    “We must understand that the democratic process does not end at electing representatives but also in helping them to do what we have elected them to do,” he said.

    The governor expressed optimism that the new chairmen would justify the confidence reposed on them by providing credible and quality leadership and services at their respective councils.

    He reassured that his administration would continue to respect the autonomy of the local councils by giving necessary support to the chairmen to carry out their constitutional responsibilities.

    Earlier, in his goodwill message, the Paramount Ruler of Yewa Land, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, urged the chairmen to seek counsel from traditional rulers in order to move the councils forward.

    Mr Yemi Sanusi, the State Caretaker Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC ) appealed to the chairmen to embark on grassroot programmes.

    Sanusi said that it was important to alleviate the suffering of the people at the grassroots level.

    APC won all the chairmanship seats in all the 20 councils in the state.

  • Alleged $350,000 fraud: U.S. Court orders indefinite detention of Abiodun’s suspended aide, Bidemi Rufai

    Alleged $350,000 fraud: U.S. Court orders indefinite detention of Abiodun’s suspended aide, Bidemi Rufai

    The court for the Western District of Washington at Tacoma, United States has ordered that a suspended aide to Ogun Governor Abidemi Rufai should remain in detention indefinitely.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that United States Department of Justice had earlier said the surety provided by Rufai was a suspected fraudster.

    Rufai is accused of being involved in $350,000 COVID-19 unemployment fraud in the United States.

    He was supposed to have been released on Wednesday but the court granted a motion by the US government for “a stay of the release order.”

    The order was granted by U.S. District Judge, Benjamin Settle.

    “The release order is STAYED, and the defendant shall remain in custody pending this Court’s decision on the government’s motion for review,” Mr Settle was quoted to have said.

    Rufai was arrested at the airport on May 14 on his way to Amsterdam.

    The U.S. said 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 (ESD) during the COVID-19 pandemic last year.

    Although his lawyer, Michael Barrows, said Rufai denied “involvement in these transactions” Governor Abiodun has suspended him.

    Rufai’s first appearance in court was last Wednesday.

    He was denied bail because his brother, Alaba Rufai, who is listed in court records, could not post the $300,000 surety bond for his bail.

    He got a nurse, Nekpen Soyemi, to stand in for him as surety but the US government said Ms Soyemi is a suspected fraudster and could not be allowed to stand surety for Rufai.

  • Arrested Gov Abiodun’s aide presents suspected fraudster as surety – U.S.

    Arrested Gov Abiodun’s aide presents suspected fraudster as surety – U.S.

    More woes for the suspended aide to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Abidemi Rufai currently enmeshed in a $350,000 unemployment benefits fraud scandal in the United States of America.

    According to reports, the United States Department of Justice has written to the United States Magistrate Judge in Eastern District of New York, Ramon Reyes, claiming that the surety provided by Abiodun’s aide is a suspected fraudster.

    The Acting U.S. Attorney, Tessa Gorma, in a letter said the “surety is suspect in an investigation into an email impersonation scheme.”

    The Nation reports the 42-year-old was arrested last week on his way back to Nigeria at the John F Kennedy International Airport in New York based on criminal complaint.

    He was subsequently charged with defrauding Washington State Employment Security Department of over $350,000.

    Read Also; What to know about Abiodun’s aide arrested in US over alleged fraud
    The US Department of Justice, District of Washington had said Rufai used the pseudonym Sandy Tang and the stolen identities of more than 100 Washington residents to file fraudulent claims with Employment Security Department for unemployment benefits last year during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The criminal complaint also said Rufai mailed some of the proceeds of his fraud to the Jamaica and New York addresses of his relatives with more than $288,000 deposits between March and August 2020.

    The Federal Magistrates’ in New York, USA, had earlier rejected the bail application because 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.

    But another surety, Nekpen Soyemi, a registered nurse, told the court that she would guarantee the $300,000 bond and allow Rufai to stay at her home.

    The Magistrate Judge, Reyes, delayed the release of Mr. Rufai until May 25 to give enough time to federal prosecutors to appeal the order.

    The Acting U.S. Attorney, Ms Gorma, said in her letter to the court that Ms Soyemi is a suspected fraudster and should not be allowed to stand surety for Rufai.

    “First, the FBI has conducted research into the Surety and has learned information indicating that the Surety is not an appropriate person to perform that role

    “In 2015, the Surety’s bank (Bank of America) issued a report naming the Surety as a suspect in an investigation into an email impersonation scheme.

    “According to the bank’s report, a person purporting to be a donor deposited $134,000 into the bank account of a legitimate nonprofit. The “donor” (who was never identified) then contacted the non-profit and stated that some of the deposited funds were intended for a different recipient.

    “The donor asked the non-profit to wire the excess funds to three different accounts, one of which was a Bank of America account in the Surety’s name. The report indicates that the Surety then made cash withdrawals of the proceeds at two different B of A locations. The Surety did not respond to inquiries from Bank of America.

    “Second, FBI’s research was unable to confirm that the Surety owns the listed real property. Mortgage and deed records for the property indicate that it was last purchased by an individual with the initials L.S.G. on November 7, 2014.”

  • Gov. Abiodun reacts over aide’s involvement in unemployment benefits fraud

    Gov. Abiodun reacts over aide’s involvement in unemployment benefits fraud

    Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has reacted by suspending his aide, Abidemi Rufai over his involvement in unemployment benefits fraud in the United States.

    This was contained in a statement by Kunle Somorin, Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Dapo Abiodun

    “The Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has received the very disturbing news of the arrest of one of his political appointees, Mr Abidemi Rufai, in New York over alleged unemployment benefits fraud in the United States.

    “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,” the statement reads.

    Rufai was arrested Friday evening at JFK Airport in New York 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.

    Rufai, aka Sandy Tang, 42, of Lekki, Nigeria, made his initial appearance Saturday May 15, 2021 in New York. He is scheduled for a detention hearing Wednesday.

    “Since the first fraud reports to our office in April 2020, we have worked diligently with a federal law enforcement team to track down the criminals who stole funds designated for pandemic relief,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Gorman. “This is the first, but will not be the last, significant arrest in our ongoing investigation of ESD fraud.”

    The criminal complaint alleges that Rufai used the stolen identities of more than 100 Washington residents to file fraudulent claims with ESD for pandemic-related unemployment benefits. Rufai also filed fraudulent unemployment claims with Hawaii, Wyoming, Massachusetts, Montana, New York, and Pennsylvania. Rufai used variations of a single e-mail address in a manner intended to evade automatic detection by fraud systems. By using this practice, Rufai made it appear that each claim was connected with a different email account.

    Rufai caused the fraud proceeds to be paid out to online payment accounts such as ‘Green Dot’ accounts, or 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. Law enforcement determined more than $288,000 was deposited into an American bank account controlled by Rufai between March and August 2020.

    “Greed is a powerful motivator. Unfortunately, the greed alleged to this defendant affects all taxpayers,” said Donald Voiret, Special Agent in Charge FBI Seattle. “The FBI and our partners will not stand idly by while individuals attempt to defraud programs meant to assist American workers and families suffering the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

    Wire fraud is punishable by up to thirty years in prison when it relates to benefits paid in connection with a presidentially-declared disaster or emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The charges contained in the complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    This case was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG). The fraud on ESD is being investigated cooperatively by the FBI, DOL-OIG, Social Security Office of Inspector General, U.S. Secret Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations. The Washington Employment Security Department is cooperating in the investigation.

    The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Seth Wilkinson, Cindy Chang, and Benjamin Diggs of the Western District of Washington, and Trial Attorney Jane Lee of DOJ’s Cyber Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS).

  • $350K wire fraud: Gov Dapo Abiodun’s aide, Rufai arrested at JFK Airport

    $350K wire fraud: Gov Dapo Abiodun’s aide, Rufai arrested at JFK Airport

    Governor Dapo Abiodun’s special assistant, Abidemi Rufai, popularly known as Ruffy, has been arrested in the United States of America for wire fraud said to be in the region of $350,000.

    Rufai who is an House of Representatives aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress for the 2019 election was arrested on Friday at the John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, United States of America by US federal agents as he attempted to leave the country.

    According to information provided on the website of the United States Department of Justice on Friday on the former aspirant for Ijebu Central Federal Constituency of Ogun State:

    A Nigerian citizen was arrested Friday evening at JFK Airport in New York 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. Abidemi Rufai, aka Sandy Tang, 42, of Lekki, Nigeria, made his initial appearance Saturday May 15, 2021 in New York. He is scheduled for a detention hearing Wednesday.

    “Since the first fraud reports to our office in April 2020, we have worked diligently with a federal law enforcement team to track down the criminals who stole funds designated for pandemic relief,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Gorman. “This is the first, but will not be the last, significant arrest in our ongoing investigation of ESD fraud.”

    The criminal complaint alleges that Rufai used the stolen identities of more than 100 Washington residents to file fraudulent claims with ESD for pandemic-related unemployment benefits. Rufai also filed fraudulent unemployment claims with Hawaii, Wyoming, Massachusetts, Montana, New York, and Pennsylvania. Rufai used variations of a single e-mail address in a manner intended to evade automatic detection by fraud systems. By using this practice, Rufai made it appear that each claim was connected with a different email account.

    Rufai caused the fraud proceeds to be paid out to online payment accounts such as ‘Green Dot’ accounts, or 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. Law enforcement determined more than $288,000 was deposited into an American bank account controlled by Rufai between March and August 202

    “Greed is a powerful motivator. Unfortunately, the greed alleged to this defendant affects all taxpayers,” said Donald Voiret, Special Agent in Charge FBI Seattle. “The FBI and our partners will not stand idly by while individuals attempt to defraud programs meant to assist American workers and families suffering the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

    Wire fraud is punishable by up to thirty years in prison when it relates to benefits paid in connection with a presidentially-declared disaster or emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The charges contained in the complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    This case was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG). The fraud on ESD is being investigated cooperatively by the FBI, DOL-OIG, Social Security Office of Inspector General, U.S. Secret Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations. The Washington Employment Security Department is cooperating in the investigation.

    The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Seth Wilkinson, Cindy Chang, and Benjamin Diggs of the Western District of Washington, and Trial Attorney Jane Lee of DOJ’s Cyber Crime and Intellectual Property Section.

  • Davido gifts Yinka Ayefele N1m[VIDEO]

    Davido gifts Yinka Ayefele N1m[VIDEO]

    Star singer, Davido has gifted Yinka Ayefele, Nigerian gospel singer, the sum of one million naira.

    The entertainer was spotted together with Ayefele on stage at an event in Abeokuta, Ogun state, on Friday.

    In several video clips from the event, the ‘Jowo’ sensation is seen dancing as the founder of Fresh 105.9 FM, a popular radio station in Ibadan, Oyo state, performed some of his hit songs.

    Davido afterwards handed Ayefele a huge stash of N1000 notes with smiles imprinted on the obviously excited gospel musician.

     

     

    The development comes at about the same time when the ‘Assurance’ crooner paid a visit to Dapo Abiodun, the state governor, in Abeokuta.

    Abiodun took to his Twitter page to share photographs of the pair at his office during the visit.

     

     

    He, however, did not reveal the purpose of Davido’s visit or what they discussed during the meeting.

    “This evening, I received @davido; a superstar songwriter, singer and producer, in my office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. #BuildingOurFutureTogether #ISEYA #OgunState,” he wrote.

     

  • Gospel artiste, Wale Adenuga berates Ogun State Governor for making Laycon youth ambassador

    Gospel artiste, Wale Adenuga berates Ogun State Governor for making Laycon youth ambassador

    Popular gospel artiste, Wale Adenuga, has slammed Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, for making BBNaija season 5 winner, Laycon, a Youth Ambassador in the state.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that Governor Abiodun hosted Laycon, an indigene of the state yesterday October 6 where he announced his appointment as a youth ambassador in the state. The governor also announced a cash gift of N5 million to Laycon as well as a three-bedroom bungalow.

    In a post shared on his Instagram page on Wednesday, award-winning singer, Wale Adenuga, said the governor’s decision is “disheartening”

    ”I’m totally disheartened by the Governor of Ogun state making the winner of #bbnaija an ambassador of the state, rewarding him further with cash and a house.

    No thanks to you sir for further entrenching the sad narrative that we are a nation that rewards trivialities and mediocrity.

    Our values keeps going to the dogs!” Adenuga wrote.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CGCG3qYpol9/

     

    In the same vein, Nathaniel Bassey, another gospel artiste also condemned the governor’s decision.

    He said: “God bless you pastor Wale for posting this. Many are twisting this already. I believe pastor Wale is highlighting the idea of this and not necessarily about the person involved. I would personally frown at @wale.adenuga calling a human being a dog. And in fact will call him to edit it. But in this case that was a figure of speech. Not referring to the young man. It’s more about the idea.”

  • Ogun to settle workers’ outstanding entitlements – Abiodun

    Ogun to settle workers’ outstanding entitlements – Abiodun

    The Ogun Government has assured workers in the state that their outstanding entitlements will be paid soon.

    Gov. Dapo Abiodun gave the assurance on Tuesday during the swearing in of new Permanent Secretaries, Principals-General and Headteachers-General.

    Abiodun said that workers, as “co-builders’’ who contributed their quota to the advancement of the state, deserved to be “well taken care of’’.

    He commended labour union leaders in the state for their maturing in handling issues.

    “Our administration will not, and I repeat, will not, deny you of the rewards of your meritorious and hard work. You have all worked and contributed your quotas to the continued development of our dear state.

    “Personally, as a child of retired public servant, I appreciate the import of these entitlements to the welfare, wellness and wellbeing of workers, either, serving or retired.

    “I am particularly using this occasion to state the commitment of our administration to offset all outstanding dues and other entitlements as financial status of the state improves,’’ Abiodun said.

    The governor said that his administration does not renege on promises, but deploying resources towards ensuring conducive environment for workers to deliver efficient and effective service.

    He said that workers’ pensions and other entitlements were some of the issues that attracted his attention and immediate intervention on assumption of office.

    “We cleared the backlog of promotions of over 10, 000 personnel in the education sector. We also sent some on overseas training as we are committed to human capital development.

    “I must state that the process to clear the backlogs of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 promotion is at advance level,’’ he said.

    The governor congratulated the new permanent secretaries, noting that their appointments were testaments of their past records.

    Abiodun challenged them to do more in the service of the state and humanity.

    According to him, the process that led to their appointments was on seniority, merit, professionalism, equity, inclusiveness and the overall interest of the public service and the state in general.

    The governor said that he was restoring the positions of the Principals-General and Headteachers-General to motivate teachers to attain higher position of authority.