Nigerians in Diaspora Commission NIDCOM has expressed deep concerned about the news of the court indictment of 80 persons, mainly Nigerians, in various parts of the United States of America.
The arrested Nigerians were being accused in separate FBI cases of massive email fraud and money laundering.
Prior to the court indictment of these eighty persons, of which Valentine Iro and Chukwudi Christogunis Igbokwe were lead suspects, Obinwanne Okeke had earlier been arrested in Virginia.
NIDCOM in a statement signed by its Chairman, Hon.Abike Dabiri-Erewa acknowledged that accusation does not mean guilt, and hope that all the
accused will be given fair and speedy trial.
The commission also urged those accused in Nigeria to voluntarily turn themselves in, to American authorities to clear their names, without which the Nigerian government should extradite them if relevant international treaties between the two governments are invoked.
NIDCOM accordingly said “while such actions ultimately have negative effect on the image of the country, the Commission however reiterates as it has always done, that the actions of a few Nigerians involved in criminal activities is not and can never be what the majority of Nigerians represent.
We advise we shouldcontinuously resist any stereotyping of Nigeria and Nigerians generally.
The Commission will continue to monitor the case closely.”
