Authorities in the United States have arrested Nigerian Afrobeats artist Chinedu Opute, also known as NPZ, following a grand jury indictment for his alleged involvement in a widespread fraud scheme. Documents reveal that Opute, who previously collaborated with superstar Davido, faces charges including wire fraud, identity theft, and money laundering.
Opute was indicted on April 16 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio but was not taken into custody until April 30. After his arrest in Atlanta, Georgia, Magistrate Judge Justin Anand granted him bail before his transfer to Ohio to face trial. Prosecutors have appealed the bail decision, arguing that Opute, a U.S. green card holder, poses a flight risk due to his Nigerian passport.
Court documents detail Opute’s alleged participation in a conspiracy that defrauded American businesses and individuals of millions of dollars. One notable incident on June 13, 2023, involved the illegal transfer of approximately $500,000 through multiple U.S. bank accounts. Prosecutors presented extensive bank records showing hundreds of suspicious transactions linked to Opute, ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Investigators also seized Opute’s communications, which reportedly revealed discussions with accomplices about fraudulent activities. It remains unclear whether Opute, a resident of Sandy Springs, has secured legal representation. Davido’s record label has not yet commented on the arrest.
Opute and Davido collaborated on several songs in the late 2000s and early 2010s, including Aisha, Bad Boy, and African Champion. This arrest marks the latest legal trouble involving Davido’s associates, as the Afrobeats star himself was recently sued in New York for alleged intellectual property theft.
