FBI Places $10,000 Bounty On Nigerian Fugitive Missing Since 2001

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is offering a reward of up to $10,000 (approximately N14 million) for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of Olumide Adebiyi Adediran, a Nigerian national who has evaded U.S. authorities for more than 20 years.

Adediran disappeared from the Central District of Illinois in late December 2001, just days before the start of his federal trial.

He faces a series of serious federal charges, including Bank Fraud, Identification Document Fraud, and Credit Card Fraud.

In a statement posted to its official account on X, the FBI said: “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 of 2001, shortly before his trial was set to begin on federal charges of Bank Fraud, Identification Document Fraud, and Credit Card Fraud.”

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Further details on the FBI’s website describe Adediran as wanted for Violation of Conditions of Release.

Authorities allege that in August 2001, Adediran entered a bank in Champaign, Illinois, and attempted to withdraw funds using a fraudulent cheque.

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

His disappearance just before trial constituted a breach of his release conditions, officially making him a fugitive.

A federal arrest warrant was subsequently issued on January 2, 2002, by the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois in Urbana, charging him with Violation of Conditions of Release.