Two Nigerians, Four Others Face 62 Years in U.S. Prison Over $50M Fraud Allegations

Two Nigerians, Solomon Aluko and Nosakhare Nobore, alongside four other individuals, are facing the possibility of 62 years in prison each after being arraigned before a New York court on allegations of defrauding the United States government of $50 million.

According to court documents obtained from the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) website, the accused were charged with multiple financial crimes, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, money laundering, conspiracy to defraud the government, and aggravated identity theft.

The suspects reportedly carried out the fraudulent scheme between March 2020 and March 2025 across various locations in the United States, including the Southern District of New York.

The charge sheet reveals that the accused individuals allegedly stole personal information and identities of individuals and businesses, using them to open fraudulent bank accounts. These accounts were then used to deposit fake, stolen, and fraudulently obtained cheques from various U.S. government agencies.

Once the funds were deposited, they were either withdrawn in cash or transferred to other accounts controlled by the syndicate. The court documents indicate that the group attempted to steal $80 million in total but successfully deposited around $50 million before authorities intervened.

Additionally, the suspects reportedly created a “fraud bible” containing detailed instructions on how each member of the syndicate should operate. Investigators also discovered that the syndicate used a Telegram group to coordinate their fraudulent activities in real time.

U.S. law enforcement agencies have condemned the alleged fraudulent activities of the suspects.

FBI Acting Assistant Director, Leslie R. Backschies, described the operation as a multi-year scheme aimed at exploiting the American financial system.

“These six defendants allegedly used sham businesses, stolen, and fake identities to operate a multi-year cheque fraud scheme, resulting in $50 million in illicit funds being deposited into their accounts. The defendants brazenly attempted to exploit multiple United States government programs in their attempts to illegally enrich themselves,” Backschies stated.

Similarly, U.S. IRS Special Agent Harry Chavis criticized the accused for targeting public assistance programs meant for the vulnerable.

“This group of suspects openly communicated about their fraud, taking pride in the multiple schemes that stole nearly $50 million from the American public. They lied and cheated a benefits system meant to help struggling businesses, while also stealing cheques from agencies that assist the elderly and veterans. This gang of ‘bag hunters’ will now face justice for multiple charges.”

The accused individuals, who were named in the indictment, include:

• Solomon Aluko (29) – Hackensack, New Jersey

• Nosakhare Nobore (29) – Edgewater, New Jersey

• Anand (34) – Queens, New York

• Pappas (28) – Miami, Florida

• Ujkic (44) – Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

• Gonzalez (28) – North Bergen, New Jersey

Each suspect faces up to 62 years in prison if convicted of all charges, which include:

• Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud (30 years)

• Conspiracy to commit money laundering (20 years)

• Conspiracy to defraud the government (10 years)

• Aggravated identity theft (mandatory 2 years)

While the charges against the defendants are serious, the U.S. Department of Justice has emphasized that they remain innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

“The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided for informational purposes only. Any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge,” the DoJ statement clarified.

The indictment of Aluko, Nobore, and their alleged co-conspirators highlights ongoing efforts by U.S. law enforcement to crack down on financial fraud. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case is expected to attract significant attention, particularly given the staggering amount of money involved.

If convicted, the six suspects could spend decades behind bars for their alleged crimes.

_Tribalism in Nigeria: A Multi-Faceted Menace_ By George O. Sylvester

Tribalism, a perennial curse, has entrenched itself in Nigeria’s fabric, yielding a complex harvest of discord, division, and underdevelopment. This hydra-headed monster transcends ethnic and religious lines, perpetuating a cycle of bad governance that respects no boundaries.

*The Seeds of Tribalism*

Nigeria’s colonial legacy and post-independence leadership have cultivated an environment conducive to tribalism. Artificial boundaries, imposed by colonial powers, forcibly united diverse ethnic groups, fostering an atmosphere of competition and mistrust.

*Multi-Dimensional Yield*

The consequences of tribalism are far-reaching:
1. *Ethnic Politics*: Voting patterns often follow ethnic lines, rather than policy or merit.
2. *Resource Distribution*: Access to resources and opportunities is frequently determined by tribal affiliation.
3. *Social Fragmentation*: Inter-ethnic relationships are strained, hindering national cohesion.
4. *Economic Stagnation*: Tribalism discourages investment, innovation, and progress.

*Bad Governance: A Unifying Factor*

The effects of poor leadership know no tribal or religious boundaries:
1. *Inequality*: Economic disparities plague all regions, regardless of ethnicity.
2. *Insecurity*: Crime and violence affect citizens across tribal lines.
3. *Infrastructure Decay*: Neglect of public infrastructure harms all communities.
4. *Corruption*: Embezzlement and graft benefit select individuals, not entire tribes.

*The Way Forward*

To eradicate tribalism’s stranglehold:
1. *Inclusive Governance*: Leaders must prioritize national interests over ethnic loyalty.
2. *Education and Enlightenment*: Promote cultural understanding, tolerance, and civic education.
3. *Economic Empowerment*: Foster equal access to opportunities and resources.
4. *National Unity*: Encourage inter-ethnic dialogue, cooperation, and shared identity.

Tribalism’s insidious roots must be uprooted. Nigerians must recognize their shared humanity and collective aspirations. By embracing inclusivity, accountability, and good governance, the nation can overcome this debilitating legacy.

*Recommendations*
1. Establish a National Unity Commission to promote inter-ethnic understanding.
2. Implement policies ensuring equal resource distribution and access.
3. Encourage civic education and critical thinking in schools.
4. Foster public-private partnerships for economic development.

*References*
1. Achebe, C. (1983). The Trouble with Nigeria.
2. Falola, T. (1999). The History of Nigeria.
3. Osaghae, E. E. (1998). Crippled Giant: Nigeria Since Independence.

Nigerian Travel Creator Alma Asinobi Falls Short of Guinness World Record Due to Visa Delays

Nigerian travel content creator Alma Asinobi may not be setting a new Guinness World Record for the fastest journey across all seven continents after visa-related delays prevented her from reaching Sydney, Australia, within the required time.

In an Instagram update on Sunday, Asinobi, who is still en route to Sydney, confirmed that her total journey time would be 71 hours and 35 minutes, falling short of the current record of 64 hours, set in February 2025 by American veteran Johnny Cruz Buckingham.

Reflecting on her attempt, she noted that had she been competing against the previous record of 73 hours, set by Indian travelers in 2022, she would have surpassed it. However, multiple setbacks meant that by the time she made her announcement, she had already spent 63 hours, 54 minutes, and 33 seconds traveling, making it impossible to surpass Buckingham’s 64-hour record.

Asinobi faced numerous obstacles throughout her attempt, particularly due to visa restrictions associated with her Nigerian passport. One of the major setbacks occurred when she was denied boarding on her flight to Perth, Australia, forcing her to rebook on a later flight to Sydney.

In her Instagram post, she reflected on the challenges she encountered, including unexpected disruptions such as the Heathrow Airport fire that further complicated her travel plans.

“So close, but so far away. I may not have won this one, but we can sure win the next one together,” she wrote. “My eyes may be swollen from all the tears I’ve cried, but I promise to find moments of laughter in between.”

Despite the setback, Asinobi emphasized that her journey was about more than just breaking a record. She expressed hope that her attempt would inspire others to take on challenges, regardless of the limitations they face.

“When I land, we will catch up on lives and pour our hearts out to each other. For now, let’s finish this! I really hope this attempt was worth something for a Nigerian out there,” she added.

Now shifting her focus to her homecoming event on March 30, Asinobi aims to set another record by gathering Nigerians to sign a national flag in solidarity.

“We still have one more record to break at the homecoming event on March 30, where we will make history by signing our Nigerian flag,” she wrote. “I can’t wait to see you all there. I totally and physically cannot do that one without you, so please show up for me.”

Throughout her journey, Asinobi has been vocal about the difficulties Nigerian passport holders face, including complex visa requirements, expensive travel arrangements, and last-minute flight cancellations. Her experience has sparked widespread discussions on passport inequality and the barriers restricting global mobility for citizens of certain countries.

While she may not be taking home the Guinness World Record, Asinobi’s attempt has garnered widespread support, with many rallying behind her efforts.

“You did win! A personal win, a win for Nigerians, a win for me as a fellow Black girl navigating the world without passport privilege,” one supporter commented on her post.

Despite the challenges, Asinobi remains determined to continue making history and inspiring others to push beyond their limitations.