The government of Anambra State may soon replace Franklin Nwadialo, the newly elected council chairman of Ogbaru local government, following his recent arrest in the United States. Nwadialo, who was detained by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at a Texas airport, faces charges of involvement in a multi-million-dollar romance fraud scheme.
Nwadialo’s arrest came as a result of a December 2023 indictment by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington, listing 14 counts of wire fraud. U.S. authorities allege that Nwadialo engaged in a romance scam, posing as a U.S. military personnel to deceive victims and defraud them of approximately $2 million.
Travelling from Nigeria, Nwadialo was apprehended in Texas and will be transported to Washington for arraignment. He allegedly used multiple aliases, including the name “Giovanni,” and utilized online platforms such as Match, Zoosk, and Christian Café, creating fraudulent profiles with fabricated images to attract victims.
Dr. Law Mefor, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, stated that the government is not in a position to address the charges against Nwadialo. However, sources within the state government indicate that Governor Charles Soludo is deeply concerned by the allegations. Plans are reportedly underway for Nwadialo’s deputy to assume leadership if the charges are substantiated.
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington, Tessa M. Gorman, acknowledged the difficulties involved in prosecuting overseas romance scams but commended the investigative teams’ dedication to bringing suspects like Nwadialo to justice. Court documents indicate that Nwadialo’s fraudulent activities may have affected victims on multiple platforms, with total alleged losses reaching as high as $3.3 million.
If convicted, Nwadialo could face a prison sentence of up to 20 years. This high-profile arrest has sparked significant reaction in Anambra State, raising concerns over the vetting processes for public officials.
