Akinade Raheem, 43, was extradited from Benin to the United States on 27 October to face federal charges related to an alleged $100 million tax fraud scheme. US Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg addressed the case following the arrival of the Nigerian national. "The scope of the alleged fraud is staggering," Hertzberg stated. "Thanks to the dedication of the prosecution team and our law enforcement partners around the world, Raheem has been extradited to the United States, and his arrest confirms again that no alleged criminal can escape the reach of American justice." The extradition process involved coordination between international authorities to bring Raheem into federal custody for prosecution. He remains in the United States to address the pending charges.
Details of Alleged Scheme
Akinade Raheem allegedly conspired with Abayomi Eletu and others between 2018 and 2023 to file over 300 false tax returns. This scheme involved more than $100 million in fraudulent refund claims from the Internal Revenue Service. US Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg stated, "Raheem and his co-conspirators allegedly obtained hundreds of stolen identities, filed fraudulent tax returns using that information, and laundered the proceeds through prepaid debit cards and purchases of used cars that were shipped to Nigeria and other locations."
Christopher J. Altemus Jr. Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Texas Field Office, said, "Raheem is an alleged co-conspirator in a nationwide identity theft scheme that victimized hundreds of taxpayers. The fraud also stole from the U.S. Treasury, impacting programs serving us all. These come with repercussions that are long lasting, which is why we place a global emphasis on arresting and extraditing these individuals." Anthony Colello, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration’s Special Agent-in-Charge, added, "The investigative efforts of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) and its partners, along with the prosecutorial work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, demonstrate the commitment to pursuing, capturing, and prosecuting those who try to defraud the American people."
Indictment and International Arrest
A federal grand jury in the Northern District of Georgia indicted Akinade Raheem on 24 February 2026. This legal action preceded his arrest in Benin on 15 April 2026, which occurred following the issuance of an INTERPOL Red Notice.
Abayomi Eletu faces separate legal proceedings in the Western District of Texas. A grand jury indicted Eletu on 17 February 2026. He remains in the United Kingdom, where he is currently awaiting extradition to the United States.
Following his transfer to American soil, Akinade Raheem appeared in court for his arraignment on Monday, 26 October 2026. He is now held in the custody of the US Marshals Service as he awaits trial.
