On April 2, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) apprehended Ifediora Oli, a dual citizen of Nigeria and the United States, for allegedly conspiring to defraud the District of Columbia’s public transit system.
Oli, 41, allegedly conspired with two individuals to secure a COVID-19 testing kit contract worth over $650,000. Evidence obtained by Peoples Gazette revealed that upon learning of an ongoing criminal investigation, Oli attempted to flee to Nigeria with his partner and daughter.
FBI Special Agent Deborah Frye gathered evidence for the complaint, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on March 28. The complaint alleges that Oli, while employed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, illegally operated his own business, Highbury Global Group, Inc.
Oli reportedly conspired with an employee of the Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA), identified as co-conspirator 1, and their romantic partner, co-conspirator 2, who worked as a contract specialist at the Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP).
Co-conspirator 2 allegedly used her position to influence the selection of Highbury for the contract and personally benefited from the deal. She pressured her colleagues to expedite the contract award to Oli.
After receiving $630,000 for the contract, Oli allegedly transferred $145,000 to co-conspirator 1, with instructions to give $15,000 to co-conspirator 2 as a bribe. This action violated District of Columbia law, which prohibits employees from benefiting from awarded contracts.
Oli is currently represented by criminal defense attorney John Iweanoge. U.S. Attorney Timothy Visser is prosecuting the case, alleging that Oli deprived the U.S. government of funds and the honest services of its employees. CONTINUE READING
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