A 37-year-old Nigerian, Abiola Kayode, who was on the FBI’s Most Wanted Cyber Criminal List, has been extradited from Ghana to Nebraska, United States, to face trial for a $6 million fraud scheme.
Kayode, accused of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, was indicted in August 2019. He was arrested in Ghana in April 2023 and handed over to FBI agents following a formal U.S. extradition request. He appeared in court on December 11, 2024, before United States Magistrate Judge Michael D. Nelson, who ordered his detention until trial.
Kayode allegedly participated in a Business Email Compromise scheme between January 2015 and September 2016, targeting businesses in Nebraska and other states. According to U.S. authorities, Kayode and his associates impersonated business executives, tricking employees into making fraudulent wire transfers.
“These emails were designed to appear legitimate, convincing businesses to transfer large sums to accounts controlled by Kayode and his associates,” said the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Investigators claim Kayode provided bank account details to facilitate the transfer of stolen funds. Many of these accounts belonged to victims of internet romance scams, who were further manipulated to help move the stolen money.
Several of Kayode’s co-conspirators have already faced justice. In February 2019, Adewale Aniyeloye was sentenced to 96 months in prison and ordered to pay $1.57 million in restitution. Similarly, Pelumi Fawehinimi was sentenced to 72 months in March 2019, with $1.01 million restitution. Another co-conspirator, Onome Ijomone, was extradited from Poland and sentenced in January 2020 to 60 months in prison and ordered to pay $508,934. In October 2024, Alex Ogunshakin was sentenced to 45 months after his extradition from Nigeria for providing bank accounts used in the scheme.
Speaking on the extradition, FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel emphasized the ongoing pursuit of cybercriminals.
“Four years ago, we identified six Nigerian nationals suspected of defrauding individual victims and businesses in Nebraska and other states of millions of dollars. Today, Abiola Kayode is the second of those co-conspirators to be extradited to stand trial in Nebraska.
“Our message to the remaining four co-conspirators is clear: we are coming for you. Dismantling cyber-criminal groups that victimize U.S. citizens is a priority for the FBI, DOJ, and our international law enforcement partners,” Kowel said.
He acknowledged the collaboration with Ghanaian authorities, including the Office of the Attorney General, Ministry of Justice, and Ghana Police Service.
Kayode’s trial date is yet to be set, but authorities are confident in their efforts to bring all involved parties to justice.
