US Names 24 More Nigerians in Fresh Fraud, Money Laundering Crackdown

The United States has named 24 more Nigerian nationals arrested by immigration authorities over alleged offences ranging from fraud and money laundering to identity theft, drug-related crimes, assault and forgery.

The names and photographs were published by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as the administration of President Donald Trump continues its immigration enforcement campaign against non-US citizens accused of criminal offences.

The Nigerians were reportedly arrested in different parts of the country, with the allegations and offences listed against them varying from one individual to another.

Among those named are Emmanuel Omowaiye, listed in connection with mail fraud in Richmond, Texas; Laurene Onwuka, associated with fraud and impersonation in Chantilly, Virginia; and Olusegun Shonekan, listed for wire fraud in Newark, New Jersey.

Others include Olusegun Olaseni, associated with the sale of amphetamine in Greencastle, Indiana; Peter Ude, listed for wire fraud in Atlanta, Georgia; and Newton Jemide, whose listed offences include wire fraud, conspiracy and mail fraud in Fort Dix, New Jersey.

The list also names Shedrack Umukoro and Teslim Kiriji in connection with money laundering cases in Yazoo City, Mississippi. Olasoji Akinbode was listed for fraud and impersonation in Kearny, New Jersey, while Oluwatosin Afolabi was associated with fraud in Conroe, Texas.

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Alameen Adetunji Tokosi was listed in connection with drug possession in Chicago, Illinois, while Joshua Ipoade was named over wire fraud in Atlanta.

Michael Orji was associated with several alleged or recorded offences, including weapons-related violations, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering. His location was listed as Oxford, Wisconsin.

The other Nigerians named include Ahmadu Apooyin, associated with a drug-related offence in Baltimore, Maryland; Onomen Uduebor, listed for identity theft in Seattle, Washington; and Charles Ochi and Daniel Eta, associated with money laundering and wire fraud respectively in White Deer, Pennsylvania.

Ifeanyi Ibennah was listed in connection with child cruelty in Tampa, Florida, while Kazeem Runsewe was associated with wire fraud in Thomson, Illinois.

Fatiu Lawal and Bright Eigbedion were listed in connection with money laundering-related cases in Lompoc, California, while Justin Akubueze was associated with money laundering in Orem, Utah.

Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo was named in connection with larceny, forgery and concealing stolen property in Orlando, Florida. Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi was listed in connection with assault in Alden, New York.

The 24 Nigerians identified in the report are Emmanuel Omowaiye, Laurene Onwuka, Olusegun Shonekan, Olusegun Olaseni, Peter Ude, Newton Jemide, Shedrack Umukoro, Olasoji Akinbode, Oluwatosin Afolabi, Alameen Adetunji Tokosi, Joshua Ipoade, Michael Orji, Ahmadu Apooyin, Teslim Kiriji, Onomen Uduebor, Charles Ochi, Daniel Eta, Ifeanyi Ibennah, Kazeem Runsewe, Fatiu Lawal, Justin Akubueze, Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo, Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi and Bright Eigbedion.

The announcement comes amid intensified US immigration enforcement, with authorities publicising arrests involving foreign nationals and pursuing immigration proceedings against individuals they consider subject to removal.

However, the information released does not provide the complete legal history or final court outcome of every case. The offences listed should therefore be understood in the context of the available records, rather than as proof that every person has been convicted of every offence mentioned.

Similarly, being named in an immigration enforcement announcement does not automatically mean that an individual has been deported. The final status of each person’s criminal and immigration proceedings would need to be confirmed separately.

The development is likely to renew attention on the position of Nigerians living in the United States, particularly those facing criminal proceedings or immigration-related action, as the Trump administration maintains its tougher approach to enforcement.