A Nigerian-born U.S. citizen, Oladapo Fadugba, has been indicted in the United States on multiple federal charges, including wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and making false declarations during his naturalization process. The indictment, handed down by a federal grand jury in the District of Florida, has thrown the spotlight once again on the vulnerabilities of federal agencies and the audacity of cross-border financial crimes.
According to U.S. Attorney Gregory Kehoe, the 44-year-old Fadugba, who gained American citizenship under questionable circumstances, is alleged to have orchestrated a calculated fraud between October 2020 and July 2023. The scheme reportedly targeted the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), where he diverted $690,000 intended for a legitimate healthcare provider. Investigators say Fadugba unlawfully obtained the identity of another individual to redirect the funds into bank accounts under his control.
From there, he is accused of laundering the stolen money by writing a series of checks to himself and businesses affiliated with him, effectively concealing the origin of the illicit proceeds. The elaborate scheme, investigators claim, was part of a broader pattern of deception, culminating in Fadugba's false claim during his citizenship application that he had no criminal record.
Court documents also reveal that Fadugba faces forfeiture proceedings involving $400,000 believed to be the proceeds of the crime. If convicted on all counts, he could spend up to 27 years behind bars, in addition to losing the fraudulently obtained assets.
Authorities have reiterated that an indictment is not a conviction and that Fadugba is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nonetheless, the case has sparked conversations within legal and immigrant communities about the integrity of the naturalization process and the need for stricter financial oversight in public institutions.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring justice is served, stating that the exploitation of federal systems, especially those designed to serve the nation’s veterans, will be met with the full force of the law.