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The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has declared a 57-year-old Nigerian man, Tayo Muyiwa Olukoya, wanted over an alleged conspiracy to possess and distribute controlled substances.
The agency announced the development through the official X handle of its Chicago Division, directing public attention to Olukoya’s wanted notice on the DEA’s fugitives website.
According to the agency, Olukoya, who is also known as “Uncle”, is wanted for conspiracy to possess controlled substances with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances.
The case is listed under the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, according to information published on the DEA’s website.
The agency’s announcement did not provide further details about the alleged conspiracy, the substances involved or the circumstances surrounding the case.
DEA releases suspect’s description
In its public notice, the DEA identified Olukoya as a Black male, aged 57, with a height of 177 centimetres and an estimated weight of 99 kilogrammes. He is also described as having brown eyes.
The agency appealed to members of the public who might have information about his whereabouts to contact the DEA.
The notice forms part of the agency’s efforts to locate individuals wanted in connection with alleged violations of United States drug laws.
However, the publication of a wanted notice does not establish guilt, and Olukoya remains an individual accused of an offence unless and until the allegations are proven through the appropriate legal process.
Another Nigerian wanted over alleged Medicare fraud
Olukoya’s listing came on the same day the United States Department of Homeland Security announced that another 57-year-old Nigerian, Ezechukwu Ohaka, was wanted over alleged healthcare fraud.
Ohaka was accused of submitting more than $3.1 million in fraudulent Medicare claims and obtaining over $1.08 million in alleged illegal proceeds through his Houston-based company, Luant & Odera, Inc.
The allegations against Ohaka concern suspected fraud involving the United States government’s Medicare healthcare programme, while the case against Olukoya relates to alleged drug offences.
The two announcements brought separate cases involving Nigerian nationals wanted by US authorities into public attention.
No information provided in the announcements indicated that the two cases were connected.
US authorities seek information
The DEA has urged anyone with credible information about Olukoya’s whereabouts to contact the agency through its established reporting channels.
The announcement did not state whether Olukoya was believed to be in Nigeria or the United States, nor did it provide details of any extradition proceedings or arrest warrant beyond his wanted status.
The development highlights the continued efforts of US law enforcement agencies to locate individuals accused of offences under federal law.
Further details about the allegations against Olukoya, including the specific circumstances of the alleged conspiracy, were not included in the available notice.
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