Nigerian Ex-Inspector Confesses to $1.64M Wire Fraud in US Building Scheme

A 57-year-old Nigerian-born engineer, Adebanjo “Banjo” Popoola, has confessed in a U.S. court to illegally diverting over $1.64 million intended for the refurbishment of dilapidated structures in St. Louis, Missouri. Popoola, who previously served as a building inspector for the City of St. Louis, entered a guilty plea on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at the U.S. District Court in St. Louis, facing three counts of wire fraud.

At the time of the offenses, Popoola was responsible for overseeing crucial aspects of two city initiatives: Stable Communities STL and Prop NS. These programs were established to stabilize and rehabilitate properties within the city. Stable Communities STL drew funding from federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocations and was designated for privately-owned buildings. Prop NS, on the other hand, was funded by general obligation bonds issued by the City and aimed at residential properties owned by the City’s Land Reutilization Authority (LRA).

Popoola’s duties primarily involved identifying properties suitable for renovation or stabilization, crafting the scope of work, soliciting and evaluating bids, awarding contracts, inspecting the purported completion of work on each property, and ultimately certifying the work for contractor payments. He admitted to orchestrating a scheme where his sister, a Texas resident who had never set foot in St. Louis, incorporated Farst Construction LLC in Missouri in October 2022. Simultaneously, his future wife established Premier Finish Contractors LLC in February 2021.

From approximately June 12, 2023, to November 22, 2024, Popoola ensured Farst secured $1.4 million in construction contracts under the Stable Communities STL program. Additionally, Farst received $339,500 in Prop NS contracts between February 22, 2023, and March 8, 2024. Premier benefited significantly as well, with Popoola steering about $1.3 million from the Stable Communities STL program and around $853,100 from the Prop NS program to the company from October 9, 2023, to May 7, 2024.

Of the $7.19 million in ARPA funds disbursed through the Stable Communities STL program, Farst received $1.79 million and Premier acquired $1.53 million, collectively accounting for 42% of the total funds. Despite these substantial payments, private building owners and LRA representatives reported that both Farst and Premier frequently failed to execute the required rehabilitation and stabilization work. Nevertheless, Popoola falsely certified that the work was completed fully and properly.

Following payments to subcontractors for the alleged work, Popoola, his sister, and his wife shared and personally utilized approximately $1.64 million. They maintained joint bank accounts for depositing and sharing the city funds. Popoola confessed to using these Prop NS and Stable Communities STL funds for personal expenses including residential mortgage payments, numerous vehicle purchases and repairs, travel costs, his September 2023 wedding in Hawaii, casino gambling, and various dining and entertainment expenditures.

Further, Popoola admitted to concealing his affiliations with these companies by providing false information on City Employee Secondary Employment Questionnaires in both 2022 and 2023. He falsely declared having no direct or indirect personal interest in any contract with the City of St. Louis, nor any interest in any business. His sister and wife also provided false certifications on contract documents, claiming that no city official or employee involved in the projects had any private interest in the contracts.

Popoola is slated for sentencing on October 6. Wire fraud carries severe penalties, including up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. He will also be mandated to repay the defrauded funds. The case was thoroughly investigated by the FBI, with substantial support from the City of St. Louis Comptroller’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith.