In the second quarter of 2026, scores of Nigerians in the diaspora were arrested, convicted and some jailed for different crimes in America, Europe, the UK, and Asia.
Checks by Peoples Gazette showed that between April and June, some Nigerians in the diaspora, including a respected professor, a politician and Yahoo Boys, were arrested and jailed for crimes ranging from sexual assault, multimillion-dollar romance scams, internet scams, wire fraud to murder.
Oluwadamilola Ogunyankinnu
On April 14, UK-based Nigerian Oluwadamilola Ogunyankinnu was charged with murder for allegedly stabbing a film student to death, while Nigerian Anthony Sobogun was sentenced to 28 years in prison in the UK for sexually abusing children the next day.
Nnenna Oketa
Nigerian woman Nnenna Oketa was nabbed with seven forged passports at a Canadian airport on April 15. On April 16, UK-based Nigerian couple Luciana and Femi Akande were jailed for hacking 100 TfL employees’ data to steal tax rebates.
Akinade Raheem and Abayomi Eletu
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation nabbed Nigerian Yahoo Boys Akinade Raheem and Abayomi Eletu over their involvement in a $100 million identity fraud on April 16.
Four days later, on April 20, Nigerian Yahoo Boy Kazeem Animashaun pleaded guilty to $50 million wire fraud in the U.S. The FBI declared convicted fugitive Nigerian fraudster Emuobosan Emanuella Hall wanted on April 22.
Another Nigerian, Olaolukitan Abel, was found dead in police custody after opening fire and killing residents in Atlanta. On April 22, Thai police nabbed a 47-year-old Nigerian man identified as Patrick over alleged years-long cocaine smuggling operations.
Olatunde Abiodun Olusanjo
On April 25, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement captured 53-year-old Nigerian Olatunde Abiodun Olusanjo, accused of child molestation and sexual battery. Mr Olusanjo will be deported upon completion of his prison sentence.
A U.S. court jailed Nigerian man Patrick Nwaokwu for selling forged nursing diplomas and licences in the same month.
Moses Hezekiah and Destiny Oghentega
On April 30, Nigerian Yahoo Boys Moses Hezekiah and Destiny Oghentega were charged with wire fraud in the U.S., while Nigerian con men Olalekan Bashiru, Emma Okereke and others were convicted in a $215 million FBI-led internet fraud bust. Also, three Nigerians—Miracle Qluebube Duruawuzie, John Bosco Chukwukadibia and Chibueze Solomon Ozoma—were nabbed in connection with an alleged romance-scam network in Thailand.
Obasi Chimezirm Princewill
The month of May started with Nigerian student Obasi Chimezirm Princewill being jailed in Cyprus for sexually molesting a lady and recording the act on May 2.
Chidozie Okeke
On May 4, ICE agents in New York arrested Nigerian Chidozie Okeke over expired documents and drug possession. Mr Okeke joins the list of Nigerians to be deported after serving his prison term.
Anthony Okoro
On May 5, Thai police nabbed 21-year-old Nigerian student Louis Junior in a nationwide crackdown on cocaine dealers. On the same day, two Nigerians, Jesutimileyin Bolarinwa Adelasa and Excellent Chizorom, were arraigned in Cyprus after police discovered drugs, a grenade and bullet casings in their residence.
Samuel Egbujonuma Silas
A U.S. court convicted Yahoo Boy Kenneth Godwin for wire fraud on May 7, while Thai police nabbed Nigerian Samuel Egbujonuma Silas during an undercover cocaine bust on May 8.
Edikan Adiakpan
Nigerian Edikan Adiakpan pleaded guilty in a U.S. district court to operating an illegal money-transmitting business linked to a multimillion-dollar business email compromise scheme, a form of cyber fraud often associated with Yahoo Boys. On the same day, a Nigerian national serving as a correctional officer with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Ayodele Abiodun Afosi, was arrested after allegedly fleeing the scene of an accident, while Thai authorities caught Nigerian Clinton Ubasinachi Ekechukwu after AI facial recognition detected him for visa overstay.
Samuel Adewale
Canada-based Nigerian Samuel Adewale and six others were arraigned for running a pay-to-pass driving test centre, while Nigerian Christian Ikechukwu Uzochukwu was nabbed in Kenya over alleged drug trafficking, and 33 cannabis sachets were recovered in a home raid on May 14.
Abdul-Rasheed Adedoja
On May 16, Nigerian national Abdul-Rasheed Adedoja and three others were convicted over an acid attack on a UK drug lord. Following the conclusion of an 18-week trial recently, jurors found Mr Adedoja, 23, guilty of murder after 40 hours of deliberations.
Charles Emesim
On May 14, a U.S. court jailed celebrated Nigerian professor Nkechy Ezeh to 70 months for $1.4 million NGO fraud and money laundering. On the same day, U.S.-based Nigerian Charles Emesim was jailed for 115 months for money laundering and an inheritance scam.
Samuel ‘PutSammy’ Ugberaese
On May 19, the FBI arrested Samuel ‘PutSammy’ Ugberaese, who had been on the run for about four years over involvement in a romance scam, after extradition to the U.S. The social media celebrity now faces 40 years in jail.
Eseosa Brigut Omoruyi
Eseosa Brigut Omoruyi, a dual U.S.-Nigerian citizen, was sentenced to prison for money laundering on May 21. Convicted Nigerian Barnabas Terhemba Jime was captured by ICE agents, while Thai police nabbed Nigerian man Obi over alleged involvement in a narcotics and romance scam network on May 22.
Adepoju Salako
While U.S.-based Nigerian fraudster Adepoju Salako was convicted and sentenced for a PFD fraud scheme against Alaska on May 22, Thai police arrested six Nigerians, identified only as Dennis, Ejikeme, Ibekwe, Okorom, Nwosu and Obielu, in Nonthaburi on May 23 for their alleged involvement in romance scams.
Etinosa Osahon
A U.S.-based Nigerian, Etinosa Osahon, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers on May 23. On the same day, Thai police nabbed Nigerian Chinedu Ezike for an alleged romance scam.
Anthony Odiong
On May 30, a jury convicted Nigerian Catholic priest Anthony Odiong of sexual assault and using his clerical status to sexually exploit women. The cleric now risks life imprisonment under Texas law.
Fawaz Abdulkareem
On June 6, a UK court sentenced Nigerian Fawaz Abdulkareem to life in prison for fatally stabbing 30-year-old Daniel Manuel. Prior to his sentencing to life imprisonment, Mr Abdulkareem, 36, was unanimously convicted of murder and possession of a bladed article in a public place at Croydon Crown Court on Thursday, May 21.
Festus Anyiam
A federal jury convicted Festus Anyiam, a Nigerian residing in Norcross, Georgia, of stealing United States government funds and laundering money obtained through a fraudulent tax refund scheme that used stolen identities on June 9.
Kingsley O.
A Nigerian identified only as Kingsley O. was arrested for swindling a female Hong Kong dentist of $2.5 million in a romance scam. Mr Kingsley, alongside four of his accomplices, was arrested in Esenyurt, a municipality and district of Istanbul Province, Turkey.
Patrick Azubuike, Emeka and Anayo
The Thai police arrested an alleged Nigerian cocaine trafficking kingpin, Ikenna Patrick Azubuike, in a late-night raid in Bangkok on June 13. Also, two Nigerians, identified as Emeka and Anayo, were busted by Thai police for cross-border cocaine trafficking, including luring Thai women into drug trafficking, on June 14.
Olufemi Olaifa
On June 22, a United States-based Nigerian nurse, Olufemi Olaifa, was arraigned in court after he was charged with one felony count of sexually assaulting a woman at a rehabilitation centre.
Bukky Olukoga
Nigerian-born American citizen Bukky Olukoga has pleaded guilty in a U.S. federal court to operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business that transferred funds to individuals and entities in several countries, including Nigeria and China.
Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialu
On June 25, a U.S. court sentenced Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialu, chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area in Anambra, to five years in prison for involvement in a coordinated romance scam in which he defrauded divorcees and widows of $3.5 million.
