The United States Department of Labour’s Office of Inspector General has listed a Nigerian man, Onoriode Ezewu, among 16 most-wanted fugitives over alleged concealment money laundering.
According to the agency, Ezewu is wanted in connection with a scheme exceeding $1 million involving fraudulent Unemployment Insurance and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims filed using stolen identities. The case also touched the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan programme.
Ezewu was charged with 15 counts of concealment money laundering in January 2021. Following his arrest and initial appearance, he allegedly violated the conditions of his pre-trial release, leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant.
The Department of Labour states that Ezewu is believed to be residing in Nigeria. His profile lists his date of birth as October 24, 1987, and place of birth as Nigeria.
The Most Wanted List, the agency’s first of its kind, targets individuals linked to cases involving more than $55 million allegedly stolen from American taxpayers through fraud, identity theft, money laundering and related offences.
Anyone with information is advised to contact the US Department of Labour Office of Inspector General.
AbdulBasit Saba is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
