Some Nigerians on Tuesday took to social media to air their views on the arrest of Abidemi Rufai, Governor Dapo Abiodun top aide on special duties, by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the United States for his role in $650 million (N312 billion) unemployment benefits fraud.
DAILY POST had reported that Rufai was apprehended by the FBI in New York on Friday as he attempted to flee the country.
Rufai appeared before a federal court on Saturday on charges alleging he used the identities of more than 100 Washington residents to fraudulently receive over $350,000 in unemployment benefits from the Washington State Employment Security Department during the COVID-19 pandemic last year.
It was also reported that he was found using the alia, Sandy Tang linked to possible unemployment programmes fraud in the US cities of Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Reacting, Nigerians took to social media to call out politicians especially the Buhari-led government stating that they are the real ‘yahoo boys’.
While some expressed happiness that Abidemi who is always fond of showing off his illegitimate wealth online has finally been caught others were of the opinion that no political office holder should be envied as it seems all of them are fraudsters waiting to be exposed.
Here are some reactions gathered by DAILY POST;
@olathrives, “I always say it that our so-called rulers are the real Yahoo boys.See Abidemi Rufai , the Senior Assistant to Governor of Ogun state, Dapo Abiodun. Nigeria is in shambles. It is time to start all over again by clicking on factory setting. They keep bringing shame to Nigeria.”
@Olumodeby,” If you don’t know the story, Don’t Envy the Glory. Watch what you envy on here. Abidemi Rufai’s story should be a lesson to everyone of us. Many people are living a fake lifestyle.He should be expecting 20/25 yrs in American prison. Legit money does not grow on trees.”
@girlkehelen, “ This tweet is for those engaging in credit card fraud. You can continue stealing from the U.S but one day , you will get caught. They will carry out their investigations and nail you when you least expect it. Abidemi Rufai is just one of the many guys that will go down.”
@Nefiriti,” FBI 1yr full internship on Nigeria Instagram.If Abidemi Rufai wasn’t caught, he wud have been peppering the poor.Dropping hot teks on IG about Rags to Riches; aspiring & perspiring with giveaways. He’ll go to church & donate generously. An unknown NGO wud give him an award.”
@Agboolapeter,” Abidemi Rufai entered US in Feb 2020, and scammed over 100 Americans using their SSN to claim UB. He used a feature of Google I already explained on this street and used +234 as recovery phone number. Guess what, the number was the number on his DS-160/CGIFEDERAL portal.”
@Oiza,” Everything is always about politics to you people.
Why does it matter that Abidemi Rufai is APC ??
A fraud is a fraud,APC or PDP.You people need to stop this scoring points with rubbish , doesn’t matter the party he belongs to, all they care is he’s a Nigerian.”
“Tobi ,” All these guys in the diaspora spoiling our image back to back, it can’t be well with you o. Dapo Abiodun had better not keep mute about Abidemi Rufai Hushpuppy, Obi and others have done enough damage.“
@segun, “ Everything about @OfficialAPCNg is Fraud. Just take a look at this Abidemi Rufai, Hell Rufai, Tinubu, Yahaya Bello, Sanwoolu and Buhari himself. If you intend voting them in 2023, God punish you!”
@umanah, “ Cases like Abidemi Rufai’s are the reason I’m least bothered about how much anyone has. Very happy where I am and working my way up legitimately!”
@Subai,” People like Abidemi Rufai soil the Nigeria name to dust while we have hardworking, patriotic citizens doing wonders globally. They dont trend easily like these bad eggs.”
