metro
Dapo Abiodun ally Bidemi Rufai released from US prison
Dapo Abiodun ally Bidemi Rufai released from US prison
Abidemi Rufai, Ogun Governor Dapo Abiodun’s associate, has been released from prison in the United States, Peoples Gazette has learnt.
Mr Rufai, 47, was released from the U.S. Bureau of Prisons’ custody in Fort Dix, New Jersey, on November 15, 2024, The Gazette understands via correctional documents. The convicted felon would now ready himself for deportation from the U.S. as stipulated in his guilty plea. His Nigerian passport was returned to him on October 21, 2024, after he filed a motion to reduce his sentencing.
When he pleaded guilty to allegations of tax fraud and aggravated identity theft in 2022, Mr Rufai waived his rights to challenge deportation after serving out his jail sentence.
He was sentenced to 60 months in prison on two counts of fraud in 2022 after prosecutors presented a strong case of multimillion-dollar fraud backed with 100,000 pages of evidence before a federal judge in Tacoma, Washington. The terms were scheduled to run concurrently.
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Mr Rufai, widely known as Elele Ruffy, was scheduled to be released on Valentine’s Day in 2025 but a judge approved his motion to be released earlier based on new sentencing guidelines, and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons forwent the three months left of his sentence.
He was ordered to pay $607,000 in restitution to the U.S. government agencies across multiple states, and a Nigerian court ordered the seizure of his Lekki mansion in Lagos and bank accounts after the anti-graft office EFCC filed fraud charges against him.
Mr Rufai was widely known as a notorious Internet fraud ringleader in Lagos and Ogun for many years before he extended his fraudulent operations to the U.S., where he got nabbed.
He served in the same prison as infamous Internet fraudsters Ramon ‘Hushpuppi’ Abbas and Jacob Olalekan Ponle, also known as Mr Woodberry, who are still serving long sentences in American jails.
It was not immediately clear whether or not Mr Rufai would return to his job as an aide to Mr Abiodun in Ogun. The governor was arrested for fraud in Florida over three decades ago, but his punishment was unclear.
Dapo Abiodun ally Bidemi Rufai released from US prison
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metro
Kano Police Trace 12 Stolen Vehicles, Arrest 10 Suspects
Kano Police Trace 12 Stolen Vehicles, Arrest 10 Suspects
The Kano State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected members of an alleged interstate car theft syndicate and recovered 12 vehicles linked to the group.
Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Adamu Bakori disclosed this on Wednesday during a briefing at the Tarauni Area Command.
According to him, five suspects were first arrested in Adamawa on September 7, leading to the recovery of a Mercedes-Benz GLK 350. Further investigation resulted in the recovery of 10 additional vehicles from Kano and neighbouring states.

Five more suspects were arrested on September 12 at Kwankwasiyya City Quarters, Tarauni, where police allegedly recovered a stolen Toyota Hilux.
Bakori said preliminary findings showed that the suspects allegedly operated across Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe and other states. He said the group allegedly stole vehicles, hid them at different locations and moved them across state borders for resale.
The commissioner noted that 11 of the 12 recovered vehicles were unregistered, making it difficult to trace their owners.
He urged vehicle owners to register their vehicles and display valid number plates, while warning that unregistered vehicles could make criminal investigations more difficult.
Bakori said investigations were ongoing and efforts were underway to arrest other suspected members of the syndicate.
Kano Police Trace 12 Stolen Vehicles, Arrest 10 Suspects
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metro
Osun Govt Vows to Prosecute Those Behind Recent Killings
Osun Govt Vows to Prosecute Those Behind Recent Killings
The Osun State Government has vowed to prosecute anyone found responsible for the recent killings and violent clashes across the state.
The government also denied allegations that it was protecting those suspected of killing Olalekan Oyeyemi amid a leadership dispute in the state chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
Speaking on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Security Matters, Samuel Ojo, said the administration would allow security agencies to investigate the cases without interference.
Adeleke Summons Security Chiefs
Following the recent violence, Adeleke called an emergency security meeting attended by commanders from the police, DSS, Army, NDLEA, Immigration, Correctional Service, Civil Defence and Amotekun.
Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi represented the governor at the meeting.
Ojo said the security chiefs agreed to intensify efforts to stop further killings and restore peace across Osun.
He also dismissed claims that the government was shielding suspects in Oyeyemi’s murder, saying the police and DSS had been directed to thoroughly investigate the case.
Meanwhile, two NURTW leaders, Gbedegesin and Kareem Akeem, had alleged that Oyeyemi was killed because some union leaders opposed his proposed emergence as the next state chairman.
Transportation Commissioner Sesan Oyedele, however, denied that the government endorsed Oyeyemi for the position. He said the union leaders only informed him of their decision to choose the deceased.
About five people have reportedly been killed between August 24 and September 15 in Ikire, Ile-Ife and Osogbo in incidents linked to motor park disputes and alleged cult-related clashes.
Osun Govt Vows to Prosecute Those Behind Recent Killings
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metro
57-Year-Old Man Arrested Over Sexual Abuse of Stepdaughter in Edo
57-Year-Old Man Arrested Over Sexual Abuse of Stepdaughter in Edo
The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 57-year-old man, identified as Kadiri Edenokun, over the alleged defilement of his six-year-old stepdaughter in Jattu, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
The suspect was reportedly taken into custody after the alleged abuse of the child was brought to the attention of the authorities, prompting the police to commence an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the case.
Police sources said the suspect allegedly admitted during interrogation that the incident occurred on more than one occasion. However, the allegation remains under investigation, and Edenokun has not been convicted of any offence.
The case has renewed attention on the problem of child sexual abuse in Edo State, particularly allegations involving adults who have regular access to children within homes and other familiar environments.
The Edo State Government disclosed in August that more than 70 cases of child defilement had been recorded in the state between January and July 2026. The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Eugenia Abdallah, said children between the ages of two and 10 were among those affected.
The commissioner also said that more than half of the cases reported during the period involved fathers of the affected children, highlighting concerns over sexual abuse occurring within family settings.
The state government has continued to work with relevant agencies on cases of sexual and gender-based violence, including the provision of medical, psychosocial and protective support to survivors.
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The Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has also been involved in providing temporary protective care and other forms of assistance to children and young people affected by sexual violence.
In a separate case reported recently, the ministry provided an update on a 16-year-old girl who was allegedly sexually abused and became pregnant. The ministry said the survivor was placed in a government shelter and was receiving support while arrangements were being made for her welfare and education.
The police have also reported a number of arrests involving alleged sexual offences against minors across Edo State.
The Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor, said the command arrested several suspects in August in connection with sexual and gender-based violence. Some of the suspects were subsequently charged to court, while investigations into other cases continued.
Among the cases reported by the command were allegations involving girls aged 13, 15 and 11. Police also reported investigations involving alleged defilement of minors in Okpella and other parts of the state.
At its August operational review, the Edo Police Command said 12 suspects had been arrested in connection with sexual and gender-based violence during the month. The command also reported arrests linked to kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, human trafficking and other offences.
The latest case involving the six-year-old girl is expected to be subjected to further investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged abuse and determine whether sufficient evidence exists to support criminal charges.
The child has reportedly been placed under appropriate care and is receiving medical attention with the involvement of the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
Child protection advocates have consistently stressed the importance of promptly reporting suspected cases of child abuse and sexual violence, particularly where the alleged perpetrator is a family member, caregiver or another adult with access to the child.
Under Nigerian law, allegations of defilement involving children are treated as serious criminal matters, with the relevant authorities responsible for investigating reported cases and presenting evidence before a court where prosecution is warranted.
The police are expected to complete their investigation and take appropriate legal steps based on the evidence gathered.
Edenokun remains an accused person at this stage, and any determination of criminal responsibility will ultimately be made through due process and, where applicable, by a court of law.
57-Year-Old Man Arrested Over Sexual Abuse of Stepdaughter in Edo
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