In a significant case highlighting the misuse of federal relief programs, a 25-year-old Nigerian national, Oluwanishola Oyedyipo Jinadu, is facing serious legal consequences in the United States for allegedly defrauding pandemic relief initiatives. Jinadu, who overstayed his visa, has been indicted on multiple charges connected to fraudulent activities involving the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Insurance Benefits Program and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
The announcement of these charges was made by Chad Meacham, the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, in a press release on March 3, 2025. Jinadu’s indictment, which was issued on February 26, consists of a staggering seventeen counts, including five counts of theft of government money, three counts of wire fraud, eight counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of making false statements in immigration documents. He made his initial court appearance shortly thereafter, appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brian McKay.
The allegations against Jinadu are serious and extensive. According to the indictment, he was residing in the United States illegally, having overstayed his B1/B2 nonimmigrant visa. The indictment claims that he exploited the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program, which was established under the CARES Act to assist individuals who lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This program was designed to provide supplemental unemployment benefits, but Jinadu allegedly unlawfully obtained these benefits for himself.
Evidence presented in the indictment indicates that Jinadu received unemployment benefits unlawfully transferred into his bank accounts. The applications for these benefits were reportedly submitted using the identities of at least five victims without their knowledge or consent, including residents from states such as Washington, Massachusetts, and Kansas. This aspect of the case underscores a troubling trend of identity theft, particularly during a time when many individuals were struggling to secure financial assistance due to the pandemic's economic fallout.
Additionally, the indictment outlines Jinadu’s alleged involvement in defrauding the Paycheck Protection Program. This program aimed to provide forgivable loans to small businesses to help cover payroll expenses, rent, and other essential costs during the pandemic. Jinadu is accused of improperly securing more than $65,000 in PPP funds, again using the identities of at least three victims in Oklahoma, all without their authorization.
Further complicating matters, shortly after allegedly engaging in these fraudulent activities, Jinadu submitted an application to become a lawful permanent resident of the United States. As part of this application process, he was asked whether he had ever committed a crime, to which he allegedly answered "no," thus casting doubt on the veracity of his statements and raising questions about his intent when applying for immigration benefits. By certifying, under penalty of perjury, that his application was “complete, true, and correct,” he may have compounded his legal troubles.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an assertion of criminal conduct and does not constitute evidence of guilt. Under U.S. law, every defendant, including Jinadu, is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. However, if convicted, he could potentially face a lengthy sentence of up to 96 years in federal prison. Such a sentence would reflect the seriousness of his alleged crimes, particularly in the context of using vital government resources intended to assist those in need during a national crisis.
The investigation into Jinadu’s actions was carried out by the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General and the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General. They were supported by the Homeland Security Investigation’s Dallas Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tiffany H. Eggers and Madeline S. Case are tasked with prosecuting this case, which serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges and implications of fraud and identity theft during unprecedented times. As the case unfolds, it will shed light on the critical need for safeguards within government relief programs designed to help the most vulnerable.
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