Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — Obinwanne “Invictus Obi” Okeke, the Nigerian entrepreneur once celebrated on the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list, has been released from a U.S. federal prison and deported to Nigeria after serving nearly six years behind bars for orchestrating a multimillion‑dollar fraud scheme that targeted American companies, official records show.
Okeke, now 38, was arrested by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents at Dulles International Airport in Virginia in August 2019 while attempting to return to Nigeria, concluding a lengthy investigation into a complex business email compromise scheme that siphoned roughly $11 million from U.S. companies between 2015 and 2019. In February 2021, he pleaded guilty in a U.S. federal court to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit computer fraud and was sentenced to ten years in prison.
U.S. Bureau of Prisons records indicate that Okeke was no longer in custody as of 23 December 2025, triggering deportation proceedings in line with immigration and sentencing provisions applicable to non‑U.S. citizens convicted of federal offences. His release came substantially before his original projected release date of September 2028, prompting questions about sentence credits or other legal mechanisms that may have reduced his term.
Authorities in Nigeria have yet to publicly detail the specific timing of Okeke’s arrival or the immediate charges he may face upon his return, but the development has reignited scrutiny of his case and raised expectations of further legal action domestically. Prior to his arrest in the United States, Okeke — founder of the Invictus Group, a conglomerate with interests in agriculture, telecommunications, energy and real estate — enjoyed a reputation as a rising figure in African business circles before that image collapsed in the wake of his conviction.
In the United States, prosecutors characterised Okeke’s criminal operation as a sophisticated cyber‑fraud scheme that employed impersonation, phishing and fraudulent business communication to divert corporate payments, causing significant financial harm to victims.
Legal experts in Nigeria say that upon deportation, Okeke could face additional investigations or charges connected to the forfeiture of ill‑gotten assets, as well as coordination between Nigerian authorities and the U.S. Department of Justice regarding restitution and seizure of proceeds. A Federal High Court in Abuja previously ordered the forfeiture of funds traced to Okeke’s Nigerian bank accounts linked to proceeds of crime, indicating a domestic legal dimension that remains unresolved.
Civil society groups have reacted with mixed sentiments. Some argue that Okeke’s early release and return to Nigeria underscore the need for stronger enforcement of financial crimes and asset recovery mechanisms, while others warn that premature release of high‑profile fraud convicts may send the wrong message about consequences for white‑collar crime. Legal analysts note that any further legal proceedings in Nigeria will hinge on cooperation agreements, asset tracing and the articulation of charges under Nigerian anti‑fraud statutes, including cybercrime and economic crimes laws.
Okeke’s case has contributed to broader debates in Nigeria about cyber‑fraud, international law enforcement cooperation, and the reputational risks that high‑profile fraud cases pose to the country’s business community. As he settles back in Nigeria, authorities in both countries will be watching closely for signs of renewed legal action, prosecution strategies and the potential recovery of assets tied to the fraud scheme.
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