Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Couple in Feeding Our Future fraud scheme sentenced to 97 months’ imprisonment

The Husseins submitted fraudulent meal claims and ultimately obtained about $8.8 million in federal child nutrition program funds.

• September 14, 2026
Mekfira Hussein
Mekfira Hussein

Mekfira Hussein and Abduljabar Hussein have been sentenced to 97 months in prison for their roles in the $250 million fraud scheme that exploited a federally funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Husseins submitted fraudulent claims for meals and ultimately obtained approximately $8.8 million in federal child nutrition program funds.

U.S. district judge Nancy Brasel sentenced the defendants on Tuesday.

Mekfira Hussein, 42, of Shakopee, Minnesota, was sentenced to 57 months in prison on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. She pleaded guilty on January 31, 2025.

Abduljabar Hussein, 45, of Shakopee, Minnesota, was sentenced to 40 months in prison on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He pleaded guilty on February 5, 2025.

“The Husseins stole money that was meant for vulnerable children. Their sentences today reflect my office’s commitment to holding those who defraud the American taxpayer accountable,” said United States attorney Daniel Rosen. 

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Oyo State Government logo

States

INEC ‌⁠‍‍⁠⁠‌‍⁠⁠⁠‍‍‌⁠‌integrates NIN into voter register ahead of 2027 polls

The Oyo State government says it has renewed its drive to bring all hospitality businesses into the tax system.

INEC Photo (Credit: Punch Newspapers)

NationWide

INEC ‌⁠‍‍⁠⁠‌‍⁠⁠⁠‍‍‌⁠‌integrates NIN into voter register ahead of 2027 polls

INEC says it has integrated NIN into its system to audit, verify, and clean the national voter register.

Alexander Zverev

Sport

Zverev criticised over lengthy second-serve routine at U.S. Open

German tennis star Alexander Zverev has been criticised for his lengthy second-serve routine at the U.S. Open final.

Dayo Faduyile

States

Ondo ‌⁠‍‍⁠⁠‌‍⁠⁠⁠‌‌‌senator Faduyile disowns fake social media handle

Mr Faduyile said scammers were using the fake account to solicit money from unsuspecting members of the public under the pretext of awarding non-existent Abuja contracts.

Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS)

Economy

Nigeria’s inflation rate dropped to 15.39% in August: NBS

August headline inflation rate fell by 0.04 per cent to 15.39 per cent, down from 15.43 per cent in July.

NAPTAN logo

NationWide

NAPTAN opposes FG’s concession of King’s College

Mr Yau-Nabayi said, “Education is not a revenue-generating agency; our schools are not revenue-generating agencies.”