A Nigerian‑born U.S. citizen is facing efforts by U.S. authorities to strip him of his citizenship after being convicted in a major $91 million tax fraud scheme, officials say.
The case involves Nnamdi Orji, who was sentenced in 2023 in a U.S. federal court to 18 years in prison for his role in orchestrating a large‑scale tax fraud and money‑laundering operation targeting public funds. Now, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a civil action seeking to revoke his naturalised citizenship on the basis that he falsely obtained it through material misrepresentations.
According to a DOJ press release, Orji, 59, was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering after prosecutors showed he led a scheme that used stolen employer identification numbers (EINs) to file fraudulent tax returns and claim refunds from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Over the course of the conspiracy, the government said he and his co‑conspirators caused at least $91 million in losses to the U.S. Treasury.
The civil complaint alleges that Orji knowingly concealed key information about his involvement in the scheme when he applied for U.S. citizenship, and that his fraud was “continuing and serious enough to warrant revocation.” If successful, the government’s action could lead to his denaturalisation and potential deportation following completion of his prison term.
In announcing the denaturalisation effort, the DOJ said such actions are pursued when individuals are found to have obtained citizenship through fraud, misrepresentation, or concealment of material facts, undermining the integrity of the naturalisation process.
Orji’s lawyers have opposed the government’s bid, arguing that citizenship revocation is an extreme measure that should be reserved for narrow circumstances. They contend that the fraud convictions, while serious, do not automatically justify stripping citizenship.
Legal experts say denaturalisation cases are relatively rare and often involve substantial legal battles, as the government must prove that citizenship was obtained unlawfully at the time of acquisition.
The development highlights broader efforts by U.S. authorities to crack down on complex financial crime and ensure accountability for large‑scale fraud schemes that defraud taxpayers and government systems.
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