Nigeria, May 19 -- A federal magistrate in New York has rejected the bail application of Abidemi Rufai, an aide to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.

Mr Rufai is currently enmeshed in a $350,000 COVID-19 unemployment fraud in the United States.

He was arraigned on Wednesday before Magistrate Ramon Reyes.

Mr Rufai's lawyer, Michael Barrows of Garden City, New York, said the suspect's brother, Alaba Rufai, who is listed in court records told the court Wednesday morning that he could not afford the $300,000 surety bond for his bail

As a result, Mr Reyes ruled that Mr Rufai should remain detention.

Mr Barrows told The Seattle Times that he would be "seeking alternative surety" and re-apply for Mr Rufai's bail.

In reaction to the court...