The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has placed a $10,000 bounty on a Nigerian man, Olumide Adebiyi Adediran, who is wanted for multiple bank fraud-related offences in Illinois dating back to 2001.
According to a notice published on the FBI’s official website on Wednesday, Adediran, 56, is accused of committing bank fraud, credit card fraud, and identity-document fraud, allegedly using the stolen personal details of American citizens to open bogus bank and credit accounts.
Investigators said the suspect, who has been on the run for over two decades, fled the Central District of Illinois in December 2001, just before his scheduled trial. A federal warrant for his arrest was subsequently issued on January 2, 2002, after he was declared to have violated the conditions of his release.
The FBI alleged that Adediran, operating under multiple aliases including Kevin Olumide Adediran, Eric O. Williams, Maxo Alexandre, Olumide Adkins, and Edward N. Anderson, attempted to cash fraudulent cheques and exploit stolen identities for financial gain.
“On January 2, 2002, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Adediran in the United States District Court, Central District of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, after he was charged with Violation of Conditions of Release,” part of the statement read.
The fugitive is described as 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing about 200 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He is believed to have links to South Florida, where investigators suspect he may still be hiding.
The FBI urged members of the public with useful information to contact the nearest bureau office, U.S. embassy, or consulate, assuring that a $10,000 reward awaits anyone whose tip leads to his arrest and conviction.
