The United States Department of Justice on Monday, May 17, announced Rufai’s arrest.

In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, Governor Abiodun said the news of his aide’s involvement in fraud is disturbing.

The statement in part reads “We received the very disturbing news of the arrest of one of the governor’s political appointees, Mr Abidemi Rufai in New York over alleged unemployment benefits and fraud in the United States, this morning. While the Governor cannot be held responsible for the actions of a full-grown adult, especially outside the jurisdiction of Ogun and Nigeria, he has since suspended the suspect from office to enable him to answer the charges levelled against him. The Governor wishes to condemn any act capable of undermining his determination to institute an open, transparent, accountable and morally upright behaviour in the State and in governance. Gov. Abiodun remains committed to his agenda of building our future together and will not condone criminals either in his government or the state in general.”

The police in Ogun State on Monday, October 12, charged the three #EndSARS protesters with attempted murder and vandalizing a Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle worth N100 million. The three protesters identified as Adeniji Sodiq (25), Mutairu Faruq (19), and Olatoye Joseph (23) were also accused of using dangerous weapons during the protest.

In a post shared on social media, Governor Abiodun says he has directed the State Attorney General to drop all charges against the protesters and that they are to be released immediately.

His statement reads “On my instruction, the Attorney General has reviewed the evidence in the investigation case file in respect of the three suspects that were remanded in a custodial centre on 12 October 2020. Ogun State has decided not to charge them with any offence. They are to be released immediately. #BuildingOurFutureTogether #ISEYA #EndSarsProtests”