U.S. Charges Nigerian Engineer Banjo Popoola in $4.7 Million Contract Fraud Scheme
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A Nigerian-born engineer, Banjo Popoola, has been indicted in the United States over an alleged multimillion-dollar fraud tied to public construction contracts in St. Louis, Missouri.
Popoola, who worked as a building development inspector, was responsible for identifying properties needing repair, assigning contractors, and approving completed projects for payment under city-backed programmes.
According to prosecutors, he exploited this position by secretly steering contracts to companies linked to his wife and sister, despite rules prohibiting such conflicts of interest.
Investigations revealed that the two companies, which reportedly lacked significant construction experience, were awarded contracts valued at over $4.7 million between 2021 and 2024.
Authorities allege that several of the projects were either poorly executed or not carried out at all, yet Popoola falsely certified them as completed to facilitate payments.
Prosecutors also claim he used multiple false addresses and misleading documentation to conceal his involvement, while maintaining control over funds paid to the companies.
Financial records cited in the case indicate that more than $1.6 million was diverted for personal use, including luxury purchases, travel expenses, and a high-profile wedding in Hawaii.
Popoola now faces three counts of wire fraud, while the U.S. Department of Justice is seeking the forfeiture of at least $1.6 million believed to be proceeds from the alleged scheme.
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