Nigerian Sprinter, Favour Ashe Arrested Over Fraud, Theft Charges

Athlete Favour Ashe of Nigeria was detained in the US on suspicion of larceny and fraud.

Favour Ashe, an athlete from Nigeria, was taken into custody by American authorities in Alabama on several charges of fraud and theft.

The 21-year-old was arrested on Tuesday. February 6, at his home in Alabama, Auburn Police said in a statement on Thursday.

Favour, who competed for Nigeria in the 4×100-meter relay and won a bronze medal there with three other Nigerians in 2022, recently moved from the University of Tennessee to Auburn University in Alabama, where he is now an NCAA representative.

Ashe is, however, accused of two third-degree thefts of property and four counts of fraudulent use of a debit or credit card.

“The arrest stems from Auburn Police receiving a thfft report on Feb. 4, 2024. A victim reported that multiple items were stolen from a purse near the 100 block of West Magnolia Avenue. A credit card was among the items stolen, and the victim discovered several fraudulent charges were made using the stolen card.”

Favour Oghene Tejiri Ashe was developed as a suspect, and after further investigation arrest warrants were obtained. Ashe turned himself in to Auburn Police on Feb. 6, and he was arrested in obedience to the warrants.

The statement states, “Ashe was transported to the Lee County Jail and held on a $9,000 bond.”