Dozens of Nigerians living abroad were arrested, convicted or sentenced to prison across Europe, North America and Asia between April and June 2026 over offences ranging from murder and sexual assault to internet fraud, drug trafficking and money laundering.
As reported by Peoples Gazette, a review of reported cases showed that those implicated included students, politicians, academics, clerics and suspected internet fraudsters, with convictions and arrests recorded in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Thailand, Cyprus, Kenya, Turkey and Hong Kong.
In April, UK-based Nigerian Oluwadamilola Ogunyankinnu was charged with the alleged murder of a film student, while Anthony Sobogun received a 28-year jail term in the UK after being convicted of sexually abusing children.
Canadian authorities also arrested Nnenna Oketa for allegedly travelling with seven forged passports, while a Nigerian couple, Luciana and Femi Akande, were jailed for hacking Transport for London employees’ data to fraudulently obtain tax rebates.
The same month, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested several Nigerians, including Akinade Raheem, Abayomi Eletu, Kazeem Animashaun, Moses Hezekiah and Destiny Oghentega, over alleged multimillion-dollar identity theft, wire fraud and internet scam operations.
U.S. authorities also arrested Olatunde Abiodun Olusanjo over child molestation allegations, while Thai police apprehended several Nigerians in connection with cocaine trafficking and romance scam investigations.
In May, Nigerian student Obasi Chimezirm Princewill was jailed in Cyprus for sexual assault, while U.S. immigration authorities arrested Chidozie Okeke over immigration and drug-related offences.
Thai authorities also arrested several Nigerians during anti-narcotics operations, while a U.S. court sentenced Nigerian professor Nkechy Ezeh to 70 months’ imprisonment for fraud and money laundering involving grant funds.
Other high-profile convictions during the month included U.S.-based Charles Emesim, who was sentenced to 115 months in prison for money laundering and an inheritance scam, and social media personality Samuel “PutSammy” Ugberaese, who was extradited to the United States to face romance fraud charges.
Nigerian Catholic priest Anthony Odiong was also convicted by a Texas jury over multiple sexual assault offences.
In June, a UK court sentenced Fawaz Abdulkareem to life imprisonment for the fatal stabbing of Daniel Manuel, while a U.S. federal jury convicted Festus Anyiam for tax fraud and money laundering.
Thai police also arrested alleged drug kingpin Ikenna Patrick Azubuike and other Nigerians over suspected cocaine trafficking operations, while U.S.-based nurse Olufemi Olaifa was arraigned on a sexual assault charge.
The quarter ended with the sentencing of Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialu, chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, to five years’ imprisonment in the United States for his role in a $3.5m romance scam.
Nigerian-born American Bukky Olukoga also pleaded guilty to operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business, adding to the growing list of Nigerians facing criminal prosecution abroad during the period.
