A Nigerian is on the verge of being jailed in the United States over crimes allegedly committed by a local government chairman back home.
Yusuf Owolabi Abdul, resident in Canada, extradited from Germany to the United States, will be presented on Monday in New York before Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang over crimes reportedly committed by Somolu LGA boss in Lagos State.
Carved out from the former Mushin District Council as a direct result of the traditional rulers and upper class in 1976, Somolu is among 20 LGAs in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
And fresh facts have emerged how Hon. Abdul Hamed Salawu engaged in criminal activities before and after his emergence as chairman in 2017.
Salawu ‘Dullar’ who spent over a decade in the U.S and Canada is said to be the head of a notorious cartel defrauding Americans and other nationals.
“I travelled abroad and in 2008, I returned to Nigeria and that’s when the journey into politics began,” the chairman was quoted to have said in an interview with City People.
Salawu who is seeking re-election also said he initially aimed at the National Assembly.
“At first, I aspired to go for Federal House of Reps, 2011 but I was asked to step down by our great leader, that we should let late Alhaji Lateef Jakande’s son represent the party. I was told he would prefer to have me as council chairman. But again, somewhere along the line, I was asked to step down for the immediate past Chairman, Hon. Gbolahan Bagostowe and let him go for the second term. And here we are, my time has arrived”.
When asked about the source of his nickname ‘Dullar’, he said “there was this young girl called Bisola way back then. I just returned from the United States that year and when she saw me, she just looked at me and called me Uncle Dullar”.
While Salawu’s quick riches remains a mystery to many, the confession by one of his biggest allies may have provided the biggest hint yet.
Owolabi Abdul, also known as ‘Saheed Sador’ faces a fraud charge that may put him behind bars for up to 30 years. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
He was extradited on Friday to New York, said Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York for carrying the orders of his boss in Nigeria.
According to our sources, Salawu’s trust in his partnership with the suspect made him get a passport for him in his name to Germany.
Dullar as he is fondly called used to live in the European nation where he had a daughter with a German woman but left after committing a felony.
Information revealed that his name may have been mentioned by his friend but he’s seeking re-election to use government office to dodge prosecution.
It is on record that he was barred from entering the USA after his conviction for credit card fraud.
Meanwhile, another investigation has shown links between Salawu and the immediate past Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Ahmed Ogembe.
The ex-Lawmaker is believed to be Salawu’s elder brother and the Somolu LGA boss is reportedly using his certificate for politics.
While the former Senator bears Ahmed Salau Ogembe, the Lagos LGA chairman uses a modification Ahmed ‘Salawu’.
To avoid any complication, the latter is said to have removed their surname ‘Ogembe’ from his names, replaced by his nickname ‘Dullar’, while all his siblings use Ogembe.
When KAFTANPost contacted Salawu’s Assistant Chief Press Secretary Wasiu Badaru, the aide didn’t provide answers for the allegations levelled against his principal.
Instead, he said, it is ” propaganda” aimed to tarnish the chairman’s reputation, especially with the LG elections around the corner.
His words, “If you read between the lines, you can smell lies and falsification. The election is coming. Expect propaganda.
“Their surname is Salawu, others from another father uses Ogembe”.
