FBI Offers $10,000 Reward for Nigerian Fugitive Wanted Since 2001

• The FBI has placed a $10,000 (₦14m) reward for information leading to the arrest of Nigerian fugitive Olumide Adebiyi Adediran, who fled Illinois in 2001 before his federal trial.
• He faces charges of bank fraud, ID fraud, and credit card fraud, and is accused of using stolen identities to open accounts. A warrant was issued for his arrest in January 2002.

The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced a reward of up to $10,000 (approximately ₦14 million) for credible information leading to the arrest and conviction of Nigerian national Olumide Adebiyi Adediran, who has been on the run for more than two decades.

Adediran, who vanished in late December 2001 from the Central District of Illinois, fled shortly before his scheduled federal trial. He was facing charges of bank fraud, identification document fraud, and credit card fraud.

In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, 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.”

Fraud Allegations

According to information on the FBI’s website, Adediran allegedly entered a bank in Champaign, Illinois, in August 2001 and attempted to withdraw funds using a fraudulent check. Investigators further accuse him of using stolen identities of U.S. citizens to open multiple bank and credit accounts.

Following his disappearance, the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Urbana, issued a federal warrant for his arrest on January 2, 2002, charging him with violation of release conditions.

Fugitive Status

By fleeing before trial, Adediran not only avoided prosecution for fraud but also violated the terms of his release, officially making him a fugitive.

The FBI is urging anyone with information on Adediran’s whereabouts to contact the nearest FBI office or submit a tip online, stressing that all reports will be treated confidentially.