FBI Places $10,000 Bounty On Nigerian Fugitive Adediran

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced a reward of up to $10,000 (about N14 million) for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a Nigerian national, Olumide Adebiyi Adediran, who has been on the run for more than two decades.

Adediran fled the Central District of Illinois, United States in late December 2001, just days before his federal trial was scheduled to begin.

He was facing multiple charges, including bank fraud, identification document fraud, and credit card fraud.

In a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the Bureau stated, “The FBI offers a reward of up to $10,000 for info leading to the arrest and conviction of Olumide Adebiyi Adediran, wanted for Violation of Conditions of Release. Adediran fled the Central District of Illinois at the end of December 2001, shortly before his trial was set to begin on federal charges of Bank Fraud, Identification Document Fraud, and Credit Card Fraud.”

According to details on the FBI’s website, Adediran allegedly entered a bank in Champaign, Illinois, in August 2001 and attempted to withdraw money using a fraudulent check.

He was also accused of using stolen personal information belonging to U.S. citizens to open bank and credit accounts.

Adediran violated the terms of his release and became a fugitive upon his abscondment, shortly before trial.

On January 2, 2002, a federal arrest warrant was issued against him in the U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois, Urbana, charging him with violation of conditions of release.

The FBI urged anyone with information on his whereabouts to come forward.