Story Highlights
- US officials released the fraud convict from prison on Wednesday. Plans are now in motion to deport him back to Nigeria.
- The businessman spent six years in custody for a massive scam. He stole about 11 million dollars from companies in the US.
- This release follows specific prison reforms signed by Donald Trump. The law allows reduced jail time for inmates with good behaviour.
The United States Bureau of Prisons has released Obinwanne Okeke from custody. Reports confirm that the Nigerian businessman regained his freedom on Wednesday, December 24, 2025. Officials have now started the process to deport him back to Nigeria.
Okeke spent roughly six years in prison before this release occurred. He was serving a sentence for stealing 11 million dollars through fraud. This large sum belonged to various companies based in the United States.
His release comes years after his initial arrest in August 2019. FBI agents caught him at an airport in Virginia that year. The businessman was trying to leave the US when police stopped him.
Terms of the release
Sources link his early freedom to the First Step Act law. Donald Trump signed this prison reform policy during his first term. It helps inmates get reduced sentences if they meet certain standards.
The convict appears to have met these behavioural and rehabilitation rules. He is no longer in the care of the US prison system. The focus has now shifted entirely to his return to Nigeria.
Financial crimes involving public figures remain a major topic of discussion. Similar cases often spark debates about accountability and legal justice. This aligns with recent reports where Peter Okoye rejects EFCC report on fraud claim against brothers Jude and Paul.
The fraud case details
Okeke went to jail for conspiracy to commit wire and computer fraud. Court papers showed that he hacked into corporate email accounts. The convict stole login details belonging to a company called Unatrac.
This firm is an exporter of heavy industrial equipment known as Caterpillar. Okeke diverted payments that were meant for the business into other accounts. Police estimated the total stolen amount to be around 11 million dollars.
Online scams continue to be a pressing issue for many agencies. Authorities are working hard to track down these sophisticated digital crimes. Current trends show that GehGeh warns yahoo boys as online fraud payouts decline.
Rise and fall of Okeke
The FBI described the case as a very complex hacking scheme. Okeke targeted various businesses over a period of several years. A court in Abuja also seized money traced to his accounts.
The businessman was once a celebrated figure in the corporate world. Forbes magazine named him in their 30 Under 30 list in 2016. He received praise for his investments in construction and real estate.
His company was known as the Invictus Group before his arrest. The brand had interests in oil, gas, and even the telecoms sector. This conviction marked a steep fall from his previous global fame.
