Nigeria’s athletics federation says two of its athletes where convicted last week for their part in a fraud scheme uncovered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Emmanuel Ineh and Toluwani Adebakin were convicted for transferring tens of thousands of dollars to the West African country as part of what the American justice department called “a complex fraud scheme”.
A board member of the Athletics Federation (AFN) Dare Esan said “It’s really sad and damaging, not just to the image of the sport or federation, but Nigeria as a country,”
“This kind of action could potentially affect other young athletes seeking scholarships to American schools. It dents the incredible achievements other honest athletes have created in the world.
“But we know America is a country with justice and fairness, so whoever is found guilty will be punished and made to pay the price for their own actions.”
“Sadly, wire fraud and other criminal activities are not limited to athletics but have become a national problem that must be fixed,” said Esan.
“Imagine someone like Ineh, who’s won an African [Youth] Games medal, to be caught up in this? You allow yourself and bank details to be used for fraud and decide to derail your career – for what?
“It’s sad and disappointing to see young athletes with great potential go this route in life.”
Following the FBI’s investigation, the pair pleaded guilty to violations of the United States code, having engaged in unlawful activities and having ‘sent tens of thousands of illicitly obtained proceeds to fraudsters in Nigeria as part of a larger mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering conspiracy’.
Both defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on 15 February next year in Hattiesburg, and face a maximum penalty of ten years in prison.
BBC
