Abidemi Rufai, a former Nigerian government official and aide to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, was convicted of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in COVID-19 relief funds meant for American taxpayers. At New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, Abidemi Rufai, aged 44 then, was preparing to fly back to Nigeria. He wore a luxurious Cartier watch on his wrist and an 18-karat gold chain with a lion pendant around his neck. Approaching the business class check-in counter for his KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight, he carried seven pieces of luggage, three smartphones, and seven debit and credit cards.
Born in Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria, on November 6, 1978, Abidemi Rufai, also known as Sandy Tang, pursued a career in politics and entrepreneurship. He served as a special assistant on housing in Ogun State and was an aide to Governor Dapo Abiodun. Rufai studied at Lagos State University, where he earned a master's degree in Public Administration.
In 2019, he ran unsuccessfully for a seat in Nigeria's House of Representatives. Following this, he was appointed as a Senior Special Assistant on housing. However, Abidemi Rufai career was marred by controversy when he was arrested by the FBI for using more than 100 identities to commit unemployment fraud in the United States. Governor Abiodun suspended him immediately after his arrest.
Abidemi Rufai is married with children, though his exact net worth is unknown. He was born in Ogun State, Nigeria, where his father owned a large poultry farm and had multiple wives and children.
Abidemi Rufai, as of 2024 now 46 years old, is serving a prison sentence at Fort Dix in New Jersey. He was convicted of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, having stolen over $500,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. As part of his sentence, he must repay $604,000 to various government agencies, including the Washington Employment Security Department, Arkansas Division of Workforce Services, Maine Department of Labor, and Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency.
Rufai was born in Ogun State, in Nigeria's southwest. His father ran a large poultry farm and had five wives and 13 children.
FAQs
1. What is Abidemi Rufai age?
Abidemi Rufai was born on November 6, 1978, making him 46 years old.
2. What is Abidemi Rufai known for in politics?
Abidemi Rufai, also known as Sandy Tang, served as a Nigerian politician and entrepreneur. He was a former aide to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and held positions such as Senior Special Assistant on housing.
3. What fraud did Abidemi Rufai commit?
Abidemi Rufai committed unemployment fraud in the United States by using over 100 identities to claim COVID-19 relief benefits, totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.
4. When was Abidemi Rufai arrested?
Abidemi Rufai was arrested on May 14, 2020 allegedly while attempting to flee the United States from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.
5. Is Abidemi Rufai married?
Yes, Abidemi Rufai is happily married to multiple wives.
6. How many children does Abidemi Rufai have?
Abidemi Rufai has children, though the exact number is said to be 13 children.
7. Where is Abidemi Rufai from?
Abidemi Rufai is originally from Ijebu-Ode, a city in Ogun State, Nigeria.
8. What is Abidemi Rufai nationality?
Abidemi Rufai is Nigerian.
9. What was Abidemi Rufai education background?
Abidemi Rufai attended Lagos State University, where he obtained a master's degree in Public Administration.
10. Where is Abidemi Rufai currently serving his prison sentence?
Abidemi Rufai is serving his sentence at Fort Dix, a low-security prison near Joint Base McGuire in Burlington County, New Jersey.
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