Rufai, 42, has run for office in the past and had been working as a political aide to Governor Abiodun until his arrest
Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has suspended Abidemi Rufai, one of his aides who was arrested and arraigned in the United States for alleged theft of public funds.
Rufai was arrested in the U.S. for an alleged $350,000 (about N140 million) COVID-19 unemployment fraud.
The chief press secretary to the governor, Mr Kunle Somorin, confirmed the suspension on Tuesday, according to Premium Times NG.
“Our position is that the law should take its course,” Somorin was quoted to have said via a Whatsapp interview.
“Meanwhile, the governor has ordered his immediate suspension from office to answer charges against him.”
It was gathered that the governor took the action immediately he was briefed about Rufai’s alleged $350,000 theft and arrest in the United States.
Rufai, a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abiodun, was arrested last Friday, at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York before boarding a flight to Amsterdam.
He is scheduled for a detention hearing Wednesday.
The money wired is said to be unemployment benefits from the Washington State Employment Security Department.
Rufai, 42, has run for office in the past and had been working as a political aide to Governor Abiodun until his arrest and arraignment which subsequently led to his suspension.
More than $288,000 (£203,000) was deposited into a bank account controlled by him, the US authorities said.
Rufai faces up to 30 years in jail for a wire fraud scheme “in connection to a presidentially declared disaster or emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.”
NEWS: FBI arrests Gov. Abiodun’s aide, Abidemi Rufai in US for alleged theft of US$ 350,000
