“This is pure fiction, and is a further indication that the government will say anything, supportable or not, in an effort to keep Mr Rufai incarcerated pending his trial so as to exert maximum pressure,” the lawyer stated.
“In actuality, Mr Rufai’s statement that money is available” is indicative of the fact that he has the support of caring friends and family that he can call upon should this Court require a bond,” Mr Barrows said in court documents on June 24, in response to U.S. government surety scheme allegations against Mr Rufai.”Mr Rufai was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York while heading to Nigeria on May 14.
The magistrate went on to issue an order releasing Mr Rufai based on the bond in which Mr Rufai’s brother, who is licensed as an attorney in New York, was proposed as surety.Mr Rufai was not released because his brother did not sign the bail bond. The suspect was then remanded pending when he would provide an alternate surety.