The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation is offering up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Nigerian national Olumide Adebiyi Adediran, who has been wanted in the United States since 2002 over federal allegations involving bank fraud, identification document fraud and credit card fraud.
According to the FBI, Adediran allegedly entered a bank in Champaign, Illinois, in August 2001 and attempted to withdraw funds from a fraudulent cheque he had deposited.
The bureau also alleges that he used stolen information belonging to United States citizens to open bank and charge accounts.
Adediran was facing federal charges in the Central District of Illinois when he fled the jurisdiction towards the end of December 2001, shortly before his trial was due to begin.
A federal arrest warrant was issued for him on 2 January 2002 in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois in Urbana, after he was charged with violating the conditions of his release.
The case has remained unresolved for more than two decades, with Adediran still listed by the FBI as wanted for violation of conditions of release.
The FBI’s current wanted notice says the reward is worth up to $10,000 for information leading to both his arrest and conviction. The agency also says he has ties to South Florida.
Adediran, born on 11 October 1968, is listed as 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing about 200 pounds. The FBI describes him as having black hair and brown eyes.
The bureau’s wanted notice also lists numerous aliases allegedly used by Adediran, including Kevin Olumide Adediran, Kevin Deumiof Adediran, Eric O. Williams, Stephen Dediyi, Maxo Alexandre, Olumide Adkins, Ademola O. Adebiyi, Edward N. Anderson and James Gill.
The number of aliases and the length of time since his alleged flight have made the case a long-running fugitive investigation.
The FBI has urged anyone with information about Adediran’s whereabouts to contact a local FBI office or the nearest American embassy or consulate. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the bureau’s official tip system.
The allegations against Adediran relate to events in Illinois more than 20 years ago. The FBI’s listing does not state that he has been convicted of the alleged fraud offences, and he remains wanted in connection with the outstanding federal case.
AbdulBasit Saba is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
