In a case that has gripped both the Nigerian entertainment industry and international legal observers, Nigerian musician Onomen Uduebor, popularly known by his stage name Onomen Onohi, has been sentenced to three years and four months in a United States federal prison. The 39-year-old artist was convicted for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection to a $140,000 tax refund fraud scheme.
According to U.S. authorities, Uduebor was a central figure in a sophisticated scam that targeted the Human Resources departments of various companies across the United States. The scheme involved deceiving these departments into releasing sensitive W-2 tax forms of unsuspecting employees, which were later used to file over 300 fraudulent tax returns, aiming to claim more than $1 million in tax refunds.
While the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) successfully intercepted the majority of the fake claims, approximately $140,000 in fraudulent refunds were disbursed. Uduebor admitted in court to personally filing around 150 of the returns and pocketing at least $10,000.
Uduebor was arrested in the United Kingdom in September 2023 and extradited to the United States in March 2025 after months of legal proceedings. He pleaded guilty in April 2025 before U.S. District Judge James L. Robart in Seattle, who later handed down the sentence.
In court, Judge Robart emphasized the deliberate nature of the musician’s actions, stating that Uduebor “played a substantial role in the fraud and knew exactly what he was doing.” The judge expressed concern that someone of Uduebor’s experience and background could engage in such a calculated and harmful crime.
The scheme not only caused financial damage to the IRS but also inflicted emotional distress on the hundreds of American workers whose identities were stolen. Victims reported delayed refunds, unauthorized account activity, and long-term credit issues.
Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington, Tessa Gorman, condemned the fraud, stating, “This case exemplifies the severe consequences of identity theft and digital financial crimes. The emotional and financial toll on victims is real and lasting.”
In addition to his prison sentence, Uduebor has been ordered to forfeit the $10,000 he received from the scam and pay $122,720 in restitution to the IRS. Upon completing his prison term, Uduebor will be deported back to Nigeria.
Prior to his legal troubles, Uduebor had a growing presence in the Afrobeat and contemporary music scene, with a small but loyal fanbase. His arrest and conviction have shocked many fans and industry stakeholders, sparking discussions around the accountability of celebrities and the pressures that may lead them into criminal activities abroad.
Music analysts note that while Uduebor was not among the mainstream elite in Nigerian entertainment, his case reflects a troubling trend where some creatives venture into cybercrime to sustain their lifestyles or overcome financial hardship.
As the dust settles on Uduebor’s sentencing, legal experts say the case highlights growing international collaboration to tackle cyber-enabled financial crimes. For aspiring artists and Nigerians abroad, it also serves as a cautionary tale on the long reach of justice and the irreparable damage fraud can cause to one’s reputation and freedom.