Dapo Abiodun Speaks On Paying Convicted Rufai $2000 Monthly

Governor of Ogun state Dapo Abiodun has reacted to claims of paying convicted former Special Adviser Bidemi Rufai $2,000 monthly.

Rufai who was convicted abroad – United States of America – for covid-19 relief fund and unemployment benefits fraud made the claims in court papers.

The former political appointee claimed also claimed he received $50,000 for introducing people to the Governor according to a report by washingtonpost.com.

The news platform credited the court manuscript as the source of its information.

Reacting to claims by Rufai, 44 who was handed a 5year sentence and ordered to repay more than $600,000, Governor Abiodun in a statement issued by Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin declared the claim as “outrageous but baseless.”

And insists that “Salaries and wages are fixed and no member of the government is permitted to any other allowances not known to law.”

The Governor stated that “he never had any close relationship” with Rufai.

“The governor had no deal with Rufai on any transaction. He brought not a single one. They can check with the US embassy” the statement by Chief Press Secretary, Somorin stated.

The court documents quoted by Washingtonpost.com in its report titled ” Ex-Nigeria official defrauded American taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in coronavirus relef benefits” disclosed that aside from maintaining a life of luxury, the convicted fraudster claimed he expended his ill-gotten health making headway in the corruption-riddled political process that earned him an appointment.

“Rufai, like other aides of the governor, was recommended from his ward for the appointment”according to the statement by Somorin issued on Sunday, December 4, 2022.