A Nigerian-born engineer and former building inspector with the City of St. Louis, Missouri, Adebanjo “Banjo” Popoola, has pleaded guilty to orchestrating a $1.64 million wire fraud scheme that diverted public funds meant for the rehabilitation of dilapidated buildings to himself and members of his family.
Popoola, 57, entered a guilty plea on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, before the U.S. District Court in St. Louis on three counts of wire fraud.
According to U.S. prosecutors, Popoola exploited his official position as a building division inspector to manipulate two government-funded property rehabilitation programmes—Stable Communities STL and Prop NS—for personal financial gain.
Stable Communities STL was financed through the federal American Rescue Plan Act to support the stabilization and rehabilitation of privately owned properties, while Prop NS was funded through City-issued general obligation bonds to rehabilitate residential properties owned by the Land Reutilization Authority (LRA).
As the inspector overseeing both programmes, Popoola was responsible for identifying properties requiring repairs, preparing project scopes, reviewing and awarding contracts, inspecting completed work, and certifying projects for payment.
Investigators said he abused these responsibilities by secretly creating and controlling companies that fraudulently secured contracts under the programmes.
Court documents revealed that Popoola directed his sister, a Texas resident who had never visited St. Louis, to register Farst Construction LLC in Missouri in October 2022. Prosecutors also disclosed that his future wife established Premier Finish Contractors LLC in February 2021.
The companies allegedly received contracts and payments for rehabilitation projects under Popoola’s supervision, allowing him to divert approximately $1.64 million in public funds to himself and his associates.
Authorities said the fraud deprived the City of St. Louis of funds intended to improve blighted neighbourhoods and restore abandoned properties.
Popoola’s guilty plea marks a significant development in the corruption case. He now faces sentencing in federal court, where he could receive a substantial prison term, financial penalties, and an order to pay restitution.
The case underscores U.S. authorities’ continued efforts to prosecute public officials who abuse government-funded programmes for personal enrichment.