Fuji music icon, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal better known KWAM1, is facing intense backlash after a viral video showed him openly praising Abidemi Rufai, the former aide to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun who was convicted of fraud in the United States.
Rufai was sentenced by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, Tacoma, on September 26, 2022, for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. According to court records, he used stolen identities to attempt to defraud the U.S. government of nearly $2.4 million, including about $500,000 in COVID-19 unemployment benefits.
Acting U.S. Attorney, Tessa M. Gorman, revealed that Rufai operated under the alias “Sandy Tang” to illegally obtain over $350,000 from the Washington State Employment Security Department, among other offences.
After serving his sentence, Rufai was released from the U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility in Fort Dix, New Jersey, on November 15, 2024. He later returned to Nigeria.
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However, public outrage erupted when KWAM1 was seen in a recent event showering praises on Rufai, despite the seriousness of his crimes. The video has sparked disappointment across social media, with many criticising the Fuji star for celebrating a figure with such a controversial past.
Watch video below;
Returnee Nigerian Fraudster Abidemi Rufai gets an heroic welcome back from Prison from Fuji Artist Wasiu Ayinde Adewale Olasunkanmi Omogbolahan Anifowoshe Marshal aka Kwam 1.
“Omoluabi” Rufai was sentenced to 5 years in US prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. pic.twitter.com/EgSxDZolee— Káyọ̀dé Ògúndámisí 🇳🇬 (@ogundamisi) December 10, 2025
Reacting, one user said: “See who dem wan make e b awujale.”
Another remarked: “Se nah d wasiu wey they eye Oba for ijebu be this …..omo.”
One added: “Not surprised. That’s why the world never takes us seriously. We celebrate CRIMINALITY and PUNISH Law abiding Citizens. Until we do what’s right and necessary, We are a Joke!”
One stated: “People just worship money more this days.”
One added: “Nigeria,a country where criminals are heavily celebrated. Very soon he’ll contest for governor and actually win. This is Nigeria!”
