Nigerian couple arrested in US for fraud

A Nigerian-American couple, Edward and Wendy Osefo, were arrested for multiple charges on Thursday in Maryland, the United States.

According to ABC News, Wendy, a reality show star, was charged with 16 counts, including seven felonies, while her husband is facing 18 counts with nine felonies.

The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office in Westminster, Maryland, said the couple allegedly made false theft claims of their property while they were on vacation in April 2024.

In a release by the Sheriff’s Office shared on Facebook on Friday, the Nigerians “reported approximately 80 items of jewelry, luxury goods, clothing, and shoes were stolen, worth a total of more than $200,000.”

The investigations, however, revealed that over $20,000 worth of the valuables reported stolen had been returned by the owners to the locations where the items were bought.

They were, however, released on Friday after each of them posted a $50,000 bond.

A representative of the couple, in a statement, told ABC News that they were focusing on their family and the legal process.

Dr. Wendy Osefo and her husband, Edward Osefo, are back home safely with their family and in good spirits. They are grateful for the outpouring of concern and support from friends, fans, and colleagues.”

“The Osefos, alongside their legal team, look forward to their day in court. At this time, they respectfully ask for privacy as they focus on their family and the legal process ahead,” the statement added.

Wendy is a political commentator, professor, philanthropist, and reality TV personality, best known as a cast member on The Real Housewives of Potomac.

She also works as an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University, where she teaches public policy and community engagement.

Wendy’s husband is a lawyer. He works as a real estate attorney and general counsel in Washington, D.C.