SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A CEO accused of orchestrating a multi-million dollar fraud scheme against the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs was arrested at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) while attempting to board a flight to Nigeria, federal authorities announced Wednesday.

Cashmir Chinedu Luke, the CEO of Fresno-based Four Corners Health LLC, was taken into custody on fraud charges after a federal criminal complaint alleged he defrauded the VA of more than $7 million through false claims for in-home care services.

Key Details of the VA Fraud Allegations

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the fraud occurred from 2019 to 2024 while Luke operated Four Corners Health, which provided unskilled nursing care to elderly VA beneficiaries across several California counties, including Fresno, Tulare, Merced, and San Francisco.

The federal complaint outlines a two-pronged scheme:

• Billing for Unprovided Care: Submitting claims for thousands of hours of care that were never actually delivered to veterans.
• Billing for Deceased Veterans: Fraudulently claiming payment for services rendered to veterans who had already died.

Authorities state Luke submitted over 10,000 false claims, systematically defrauding the VA system.

Lavish Spending and Fund Transfers

Following reimbursement from the VA, prosecutors say Luke immediately spent the funds on lavish personal expenses or rapidly transferred the money through a network of bank accounts across Asia and Africa in an apparent effort to conceal the fraud.

Legal Consequences and Potential Penalties

Cashmir Chinedu Luke now faces substantial federal penalties if convicted. The charges carry a maximum sentence of:

• 10 years in federal prison
• A fine of up to $250,000

His arrest at SFO prevented his intended departure to Nigeria, and he remains in federal custody facing prosecution.

LAGOS, Nigeria — While U.S. federal authorities list him as “at large” and seek his arrest on charges of orchestrating a massive securities fraud, Nigerian tech entrepreneur Dozy Mmobuosi is reported to be living in the upscale Ikoyi district of Lagos. His relocation to Nigeria highlights the complex international challenges in pursuing white-collar crime across borders.

Mmobuosi, the 45-year-old founder and former CEO of Tingo Group, faces a U.S. indictment charging him with conspiracy, securities fraud, and making false filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). If convicted on all counts, he faces a combined maximum sentence of 45 years in prison.

The Allegations: A “Staggering” Fraud Scheme

U.S. authorities allege that from at least 2019 through 2023, Mmobuosi engaged in an elaborate scheme to fabricate the success of his Nigerian companies, Tingo Mobile and Tingo Foods. He is accused of selling these companies to U.S.-listed entities while providing grossly inflated financial statements, falsely portraying them as profitable, cash-rich businesses.

The SEC’s civil complaint, filed in December 2023, details the alleged fabrications. It states that Tingo Group’s 2022 financial filings reported $461.7 million in cash in Nigerian bank accounts. Investigators, however, found the actual combined balance was less than $50. In 2019, Tingo Mobile allegedly had “no meaningful customers or operations and about $15 in its bank account”.

From London to Lagos: Tracking Mmobuosi’s Movements

Prior to the unsealing of the indictment in January 2024, Mmobuosi’s official country of residence was listed as the United Kingdom, with a correspondence address in London. As recently as March 2024, he was reported to be living in the UK and giving interviews to Nigerian journalists to deny the fraud allegations.

His current status is marked by a significant shift. The U.S. Department of Justice now officially describes Mmobuosi as “still at large”. Reports indicate he has since returned to Nigeria, his country of birth and nationality, and is residing in the affluent Ikoyi area of Lagos, a neighborhood known for its high security and luxury residences.

The timeline below outlines key events in the case and Mmobuosi’s reported movements:

Life in Nigeria: New Ventures Amid Legal Woes

Despite the serious charges and a $250 million default judgment issued by a U.S. court in September 2024 after he failed to mount a defense, Mmobuosi has maintained a public profile in Nigeria. In April 2024, he was present at a Lagos launch event for a range of Tingo-branded soft drinks, hosted by a traditional ruler.

He has continued to deny all allegations, calling the SEC’s accusations “baseless and outrageous” and claiming the regulator ignored exonerating evidence. Furthermore, he has pressed forward with new business initiatives. In February 2025, he announced the launch of two new AI-driven ventures under the Tingo brand from Lagos, including an AI platform for African agriculture and a radio station.

Lavish Lifestyle and the Sheffield United Bid

The SEC alleges that Mmobuosi siphoned off hundreds of millions from his companies for personal benefit. This funded a lavish lifestyle, including purchases of luxury cars, travel on private jets, and an unsuccessful attempt to acquire the English Premier League football club, Sheffield United.

His bid for the club, reportedly involving a near-£10 million deposit, brought him significant scrutiny. The English Football League raised numerous queries about his source of funds, and the deal ultimately collapsed.

The Legal Standoff and International Complications

Mmobuosi’s presence in Nigeria creates a significant hurdle for U.S. authorities. Without an extradition treaty that readily applies to such securities fraud cases, his return to his home country complicates the path to bringing him before a U.S. court. The U.S. Department of Justice has praised the cooperation of international partners like the UK, but navigating Nigerian jurisdiction presents a different challenge.

The table below summarizes the core allegations and their status:

For now, Dozy Mmobuosi remains in Nigeria, insulated from U.S. prosecution but operating under the cloud of a quarter-billion-dollar penalty and an unresolved criminal indictment. The case underscores the intricate dance between international law enforcement and the resilient, boundary-pushing world of cross-border finance.

ABUJA – In a significant move to boost air travel and economic activity in Nigeria’s South-South region, the Federal Government has officially designated the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, as an international airport.

The formal declaration was made on Thursday in Abuja by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during a meeting with the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno.

With this approval, the immediate process of transitioning the airport to full international operations will commence, authorizing it to receive and process international flights and passengers.

Minister Keyamo, addressing Governor Eno and officials from key aviation agencies, affirmed that the airport’s existing infrastructure met the required standard to compete with other international gateways in the country.

“With the facilities available at the airport, there is no reason why Uyo airport should not be designated as an international airport,” Keyamo stated. He highlighted the facility’s modern amenities, including a standard Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility and a runway exceeding three kilometers in length, capable of accommodating larger aircraft.

To operationalize the designation, the minister revealed that a joint team comprising relevant agencies such as the Nigerian Customs Service, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has been established.

“We are here today… to set up a joint team that would commence the process of transitioning from local operations to international operations,” Keyamo said. “What we want to tell you today is that we are designating Uyo airport as an international airport. What is left is to tick the boxes and set a date for operations to begin.”

In his response, Governor Umo Eno expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and Minister Keyamo for the approval, confirming that the state-owned airport is well-equipped for the new status. He further outlined ambitious plans to develop an “airport ecosystem” to support the international operations.

“What we are building is an ecosystem at the airport. We want everything within the airport environment,” Governor Eno said. He announced that the state government plans to construct a cargo terminal, already captured in the 2026 budget, and is building 100 residential units to accommodate airport staff.

Setting a clear target, the governor declared, “My target is that by the end of the first quarter of 2026, the first international plane will take off from Uyo.”

Background on the Airport

The Victor Attah International Airport, originally known as Akwa Ibom International Airport, was first opened in 2009. It was significantly expanded to handle large aircraft and has served as a regional hub, showcasing the area’s culture and infrastructure. The facility was renamed in 2018 in honor of former Governor Victor Attah, a key proponent of its development. The airport is also the base for Ibom Air, the commercial airline owned by the Akwa Ibom State Government.