The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has warned the United States against the stereotyping of all Nigerians after a list of 77 Nigerians involved in fraud was released.
A statement on Friday by the chairman/CEO of NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the actions of a few Nigerians involved in criminal activities are not a representation of the majority.
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Days after the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) charged the founder of Invictus Group, Obinwanne Okeke, over conspiracy to commit fraud of about $11 million, a 252-count federal grand jury indictment unsealed Thursday charged 77 Nigerians for fraud-related offences.
They are accused of participating in a massive conspiracy to steal millions of dollars through a variety of fraud schemes and launder the funds through a Los Angeles-based money laundering network.
Mrs Dabiri-Erewa said an accusation does not necessarily mean guilt and that she expects that all the suspects would be given fair and speedy trial.
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The statement, however, said that those accused should turn themselves in to the American authorities to clear their names.
The commission said failure to do so could result in the Nigerian government extraditing them if relevant international treaties between both governments are invoked.
