A U.S. court has sentenced Nigerian national Edikan Adiakpan to 30 months in federal prison for using his company accounts to facilitate money laundering for fraudsters, marking a significant development in the ongoing fight against transnational financial crime. The 35-year-old founder of Akama Lifestyle, a luxury transportation and lifestyle concierge service based in Houston, Texas, was handed the sentence by District Judge Andrew Hanen on Thursday. He will also serve three years of supervised release after completing his jail term. The conviction stems from his role as a “money mule,” commonly known in Nigeria as a “picker,” who moved illicit funds for cybercriminals while receiving a commission.
The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed that Adiakpan used his business, which he advertised as a high-end car service, to transfer funds between 2020 and 2022. Investigations revealed that the funds originated from a business email compromise scheme targeting over 10 victims across the United States. These scams typically involve fraudsters impersonating executives or business partners to trick companies into sending money to fraudulent accounts. Adiakpan’s actions allowed these criminals to launder stolen funds through legitimate-looking transactions under the guise of his company’s operations.
Court documents show that Adiakpan deposited and redeemed several cashier’s checks totaling $359,000, which were drawn from victim accounts and made payable to him or his exotic car company. This evidence highlighted his direct involvement in the financial chain of the fraud. Although he had temporary legal status in the U.S. at the time of his arrest, authorities emphasized that his criminal conduct violated federal laws regardless of immigration status. His sentencing follows that of another Nigerian national, 27-year-old Ayobami Omoniyi, who was sentenced to 32 months in federal prison on March 24 for his part in the same scheme.
The case underscores the growing international collaboration in combating cybercrime and financial fraud linked to Nigeria. Authorities have increasingly targeted individuals who act as intermediaries in laundering stolen funds, even when operating abroad. The use of legitimate businesses as fronts for illegal activities remains a key tactic among fraud syndicates, and this conviction sends a clear message to others involved in similar schemes. The Department of Justice stressed that such actions not only harm victims financially but also undermine trust in global financial systems.
As more cases like this come to light, it highlights the need for vigilance among financial institutions and consumers alike. The sentencing of Adiakpan serves as a warning to those who exploit legal residency or business structures to conceal criminal activity. With continued enforcement efforts, authorities aim to disrupt the networks that enable cross-border fraud and protect vulnerable populations from financial exploitation.
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