US Labour Department names Nigerian Onoriode Ezewu among 16 on first-ever “most wanted list”

The US Department of Labour has named Nigeria’s Onoriode Ezewu among 16 fugitives on its first-ever “Most Wanted List” for allegedly stealing from the American government, the Peoples Gazette reports.

The department announced the list on Wednesday, targeting fugitives accused of stealing more than $55 million from American taxpayers.

Ezewu, 39, who is believed to be residing in Nigeria, is wanted for allegedly stealing about $1 million and fleeing the US. He was charged in January 2021 with 15 counts of money-laundering concealment tied to fraudulent unemployment insurance and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims filed using stolen identities. The scheme also touched the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan programme.

He became a fugitive after violating the conditions of his pre-trial release.

Inspector-General Anthony D’Esposito said: “President Trump and Vice President Vance have unleashed a whole-of-government war on fraud. Today we are introducing our first-ever Most Wanted List, targeting 16 fraudsters who stole more than $55 million from hardworking American taxpayers.

“In partnership with the White House Fraud Task Force, we are using every resource possible and will not stop until every one of these criminals is in handcuffs and every stolen dollar is accounted for. No more excuses. No more hiding. The hunt is on.”