Emdee Tiamiyu, a Nigerian YouTuber residing in the United Kingdom, has been reportedly apprehended on charges of fraud, sparking widespread attention.
Recently, a video circulating on social media depicted Tiamiyu, who gained notoriety months ago for a contentious interview with the BBC regarding Nigerian immigrants, embroiled in a financial controversy involving the UK government.
The roots of this incident stem from Tiamiyu’s BBC interview, during which he made remarks about Nigerian students in the UK, insinuating that many exploited the student visa system for employment and to relocate their families to the country.
This interview purportedly influenced the UK government’s decision to impose restrictions on Nigerian students, particularly prohibiting them from bringing relatives to the UK unless they were enrolled in PhD programmes.
Following the fallout from the interview, Emdee Tiamiyu stands accused of defrauding the UK government of £160,000. Reports suggest that the funds, designated for resettlement purposes, were diverted by Tiamiyu to build a house in his hometown of Ogun State, Nigeria.
The allocation of these resettlement funds by the UK government aimed to facilitate Tiamiyu’s integration and financial stability within the country, especially subsequent to his asylum claim post-interview.
As of now, the UK government has refrained from issuing an official statement regarding Tiamiyu’s arrest or the specifics of the fraud allegations. The situation remains dynamic, potentially impacting bilateral relations and the international student community in the UK.