The Federal Bureau of Investigation on Sept. 24 announced a reward of up to $10,000 (about ₦14 million) for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Olumide Adebiyi Adediran, a Nigerian national who has been a fugitive for more than two decades.
According to the FBI, Adediran is wanted for Violation of Conditions of Release related to federal charges that were brought against him in 2001 — including alleged bank fraud, identification document fraud and credit-card fraud. The Bureau says the offenses date to August 2001 and that Adediran fled the Central District of Illinois at the end of December 2001, shortly before his trial was set to begin.
A federal arrest warrant for Adediran was issued on Jan. 2, 2002, after he allegedly violated the terms of his release and became a fugitive. The FBI’s recent release repeats those long-standing allegations and makes public the reward in an effort to generate fresh leads after roughly 24 years on the run.
The FBI posted details of the case and the reward on its channels and urged anyone with relevant information to contact the Bureau. Tips can be submitted through the FBI’s online tip form or by contacting the nearest FBI field office. Individuals with information that could lead to an arrest are asked to come forward to assist investigators.
Nigerian and international news outlets picked up the announcement after the FBI published the wanted notice, reporting the dollar reward alongside a local naira equivalent for Nigerian audiences. Authorities stressed that Adediran remains wanted on federal charges and that the reward is for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
Anyone who believes they can help is advised not to approach the fugitive but to report information to law enforcement so trained agents can investigate. The FBI said the reward offer is subject to the Bureau’s verification and approval procedures.
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