Nigerian Businessman Released from US Prison, Faces Deportation

A Nigerian businessman, Invictus Obi Okeke, has been released from a US prison after serving six years for his involvement in an $11 million fraud scheme.

Okeke, 38, was arrested in August 2019 at Dulles International Airport in Virginia while attempting to return to Nigeria.

Okeke was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment in February 2021 for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and computer fraud.

He was released on Wednesday, reportedly benefiting from the First Step Act, a prison reform policy signed into law by US President Donald Trump.

The FBI investigation revealed that Okeke masterminded a sophisticated business email compromise scheme, stealing login credentials from Unatrac Holding Limited, a company that exports Caterpillar industrial machinery, and diverting payments worth approximately $11 million.

Prior to his arrest, Okeke was a celebrated entrepreneur, featured in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Africa list in 2016. He founded Invictus Group, with investments in construction, agriculture, oil and gas, telecoms, and real estate.

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court had ordered the temporary forfeiture of over N280 million in Okeke’s Nigerian bank accounts. He is now facing deportation to Nigeria.