Nigerian fraudster Invictus Okeke to be deported from US after getting freed from US prison where he served a 6-year jail term
In a significant development for one of Africa’s most high-profile white-collar crime cases, the United States has released Nigerian entrepreneur and convicted fraudster Obinwanne Okeke, widely known as Invictus Obi. Recent checks on the website of the United States Bureau of Prisons (BOP) confirmed that Okeke was no longer in custody as of Wednesday, December 23, 2025. The official BOP record now simply states that he was “Not in BOP Custody as of: 12/23/2025,” marking the end of his time behind bars after being arrested more than six years ago.
Okeke’s legal journey began with his arrest in 2019, which eventually led to a February 2021 sentencing of 10 years’ imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to charges linked to an $11 million fraud. Despite his original sentence suggesting he would remain incarcerated until September 3, 2028, his early release has sparked speculation. While the exact circumstances remain undisclosed, analysts suggest he may have been granted a reprieve or placed on supervised release. Furthermore, deportation arrangements are reportedly underway in line with the terms of his plea agreement, as he was convicted of federal crimes.
The downfall of the man once celebrated as a business prodigy was triggered by a sophisticated FBI investigation. Okeke was intercepted in August 2019 at Dulles International Airport in Virginia while attempting to depart the United States. Investigations revealed that he and his accomplices orchestrated a business email compromise scheme targeting Unatrac Holding Limited, an export sales office for Caterpillar heavy equipment. The operation was strikingly precise; court filings showed that a Unatrac executive fell victim to a phishing email in April 2018, which allowed the conspirators to obtain login credentials and divert millions through fraudulent wire transfer requests and fake invoices.
The legal repercussions for Okeke extended back to his home country as well. In Nigeria, the Federal High Court ordered the temporary forfeiture of more than ₦280 million traced to his various bank accounts. This financial unraveling stood in stark contrast to his previous public image. Before his conviction, the now 38-year-old was the founder of the Invictus Group, with a portfolio spanning construction, oil and gas, and real estate. His apparent success was so convincing that he was named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in 2016 and recognized among the publication’s 100 Most Influential Young Africans.
As Okeke prepares for the next phase of his life, his story remains a cautionary tale of a rapid rise and an equally swift fall. His release concludes a chapter that saw a prominent figure in African business circles trade his “influential” status for a prison uniform. With deportation proceedings expected to follow, the focus now shifts to his return to Nigeria and the potential for further scrutiny of his assets
