US sells ex-Ogun gov’s aide’s watch, necklace for $7,087 after wire fraud jail term

The United States authorities have auctioned a Cartier watch and a gold chain necklace belonging to Abidemi Rufai, a former aide of the Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, who recently completed a jail term in the US.

The auction was done to offset his judgement debt to the US government.

Rufai was sentenced on September 26, 2022, by the United States District Court for Western Tacoma in Washington for identity theft and wire fraud.

Court documents revealed that Rufai intended to steal over $2 million from the US government.

He confessed to committing the crime and defrauding 12 agencies in the US of $600,000 which was paid into bank accounts owned by him.

READ ALSO: INTERPOL invites Ibadan-based journalist over defamation allegations

Rufai was released from prison in November 2024.

The Street Journal, a US-based news publication, revealed that the sale of his wristwatch and necklace were made in December 2024 but are public recently.

The watch and necklace were sold via online auction through Gaston & Sheehan Auctioneers, Appraisers, and Realty at $4,720.00 and $3,160.00, respectively.

Nicholas Brown, a U.S. Attorney, noted in a court ruling that the net proceeds from the sale was $7,086.69.

“The Judgment entered in this case directed the United States to sell in a commercially reasonable manner a Cartier watch and a gold chain necklace that it seized from Defendant Abidemi Rufai during his arrest and apply the net proceeds to Defendant’s $604,460 judgment debt.

“The United States sold the watch and necklace via online auction through Gaston & Sheehan Auctioneers, Appraisers, and Realty. The winning bids for the watch and necklace were $4,720.00 and $3,160.00, respectively.

“After payment of $64.41 shipping expenses and $728.90 (9.25 per cent) sales commission, the net proceeds were $7,086.69.”

Rufai still owes the US government the sum of $597,573.31. in judgement debt.