-Willy Okonji Lagos-
-Abuja, 16/11/2024
Abidemi Rufai, a former Senior Special Assistant on Housing to Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and convicted internet fraudster, has been released from a U.S. federal prison.
The 47-year-old, widely known as “Elele Ruffy,” was freed from the Bureau of Prisons’ Fort Dix facility in New Jersey on November 15, 2024, three months ahead of his scheduled release date.
According to prison records, Rufai’s early release followed a motion to reduce his sentence based on updated U.S. sentencing guidelines.
However, his troubles are far from over as he now faces deportation to Nigeria, a condition he accepted in his 2022 plea agreement. Rufai pleaded guilty to charges of tax fraud and aggravated identity theft in 2022, admitting his role in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme.
U.S. prosecutors presented over 100,000 pages of evidence linking him to numerous fraudulent claims targeting government agencies across multiple states.
He was sentenced to 60 months in prison and ordered to pay $607,000 in restitution. “This was one of the most comprehensive cases of internet fraud involving a Nigerian national,” a federal prosecutor stated during his sentencing. “The scale of his fraudulent activities was staggering.” Nigerian authorities have also taken action against Rufai.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured a court order to seize his Lekki mansion and freeze his bank accounts tied to illicit funds.
Rufai’s release and impending deportation have reignited conversations about his controversial past, including his notorious reputation as an internet fraud ringleader in Lagos and Ogun States.
Speaking on the matter, a legal expert noted, “This case underscores the need for stronger cross-border cooperation in tackling cybercrime and enforcing asset recovery.”
The ex-official, who once held a prominent political position, has become a cautionary tale about abuse of power and international cybercrime. His deportation to Nigeria is expected to bring further scrutiny and legal battles in his home country.
