Nigeria, May 19 -- Abidemi Rufai, an aide to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, has spoken on his alleged involvement in a $350,000 COVID-19 unemployment fraud.

Mr Rufai was arrested by officials of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), while trying to jet out of the U.S. around 7:45 p.m. on May 14.

His attorney, Michael Barrows of Garden City, New York, on Tuesday, said Mr Rufai denied "involvement in these transactions."

Mr Barrows also said if granted bail, he (Rufai) "doesn't represent a flight risk, in part because he has given up his passport."

The lawyer argued that his client could be "prevented from fleeing through less restrictive means than having him remain in jail, including travel restrictions and electronic surve...