A Nigerian YouTuber based in the United Kingdom, Emdee Tiamiyu, who went viral for exposing the “japa syndrome” on a BBC interview, has been arrested on allegations of fraud.
In a video making the rounds on social media, Tiamiyu, who was went viral few months ago following a controversial interview with the BBC over Nigerian immigrants, has now been arrested over issues bothering on financial dispute involving the UK government.
Tiamiyu became a person of interest in Nigeria after his interview with the BBC went viral. In the interview, Tiamiyu made remarks suggesting that Nigerian used the student visa system as decoy to migrate their families to the United Kingdom.
The interview reportedly influenced the UK government’s decision to impose new ban on Nigerian students, from bringing family members to the UK unless they are enrolled in PhD programmes.
Recent reports suggest Tiamiyu may have defrauded the UK government of £160,000. According to viral reports, the funds, intended for resettlement purposes, were instead used by Tiamiyu to construct a house in his native Ogun State in Nigeria.
The UK government had presumably aided Tiamiyu’s with the funds for integration and financial stability within the country, particularly after his asylum claim post-interview.
The UK is yet release an official statement regarding the arrest or the specifics of the fraud allegations.
