Abidemi Rufai, ex-aide to Ogun Governor, has been released early from a US prison. Convicted of multimillion-dollar fraud, he faces deportation.
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]bidemi Rufai, a former aide to Prince Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State, has been released from a United States prison ahead of schedule.
The 47-year-old was freed from the custody of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons in Fort Dix, New Jersey, on 15 November 2024, according to correctional records.
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Rufai, who pleaded guilty to tax fraud and aggravated identity theft in 2022, was originally sentenced to 60 months in prison.
The case, heard by a federal court in Tacoma, Washington, involved evidence exceeding 100,000 pages and exposed Rufai’s role in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme.
Initially slated for release on Valentine’s Day in 2025, his sentence was reduced following a judicial review of updated sentencing guidelines.
U.S. authorities approved his early release and returned his Nigerian passport in October 2024, enabling preparations for his deportation.
Rufai waived his right to contest deportation when entering his guilty plea. In addition to serving his prison term, he was ordered to pay $607,000 in restitution to U.S. government agencies.
Furthermore, a Nigerian court seized his mansion in Lekki, Lagos, and froze his bank accounts following fraud charges filed by Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, EFCC.
Widely referred to as “Elele Ruffy,” Rufai was notorious in Ogun and Lagos for spearheading extensive internet fraud operations before expanding his schemes to the United States.
His capture marked the culmination of years of illicit activities that targeted individuals and government systems across multiple jurisdictions.
With his release, Rufai now faces deportation to Nigeria, where additional legal challenges await.
