Court approves extradition of Nigerian to US over ‘wire fraud’

A federal high court in Lagos has authorised the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) to extradite one Samuel Olasunkanmi Abiodun to the United States over alleged wire fraud and money laundering.

Akintayo Aluko, the presiding judge, gave the order following an extradition application filed by Kehinde Fagbemi, a lawyer from the federal ministry of justice.

The presiding judge ruled that the federal government filed sufficient evidence to prove that Abiodun has a case to answer in the US.

THE CASE

The federal government had urged the court to surrender Abiodun for extradition to the US for trial over a two-count charge of money laundering and wire fraud.

“Wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code (U.S.C), Section 1343, carrying a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years,” part of the charge sheet reads.

“Conspiracy to commit money laundering, in violation of Title 18, United States Code (U.S.C), Section 1956 (h), carrying a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.”

In his defence, Demola Adekoya, counsel to Abiodun, challenged the court’s power to order the extradition.

The counsel claimed that his client neither had any business and romantic relationship with anyone in the US, nor did he commit any offence in Nigeria or in the US.

He added that his counsel did not conspire with anyone to commit money laundering or deal in wire fraud against one J. S, a student at the Kutztown University in Pennsylvania.

The federal government had told the court that the victim is now deceased.

In his ruling on June 14, 2024, the presiding judge ruled that the extradition treaty of 1931 is recognised and binding on Nigeria.

“The application of the honourable attorney-general of the federation for the surrender and extradition of the Respondent, Samuel Olasunkanmi Abiodun to the United States of America is hereby granted,” the judge ruled.

“The respondent is further committed to prison custody and shall remain in the facility of the Nigerian Correctional Services, to await the decision of the Hon. attorney-general of the federation for his surrender to the United States of America for the purpose of facing his trial.

“The attorney-general of the federation of Nigeria shall ensure and see to it that special arrangements are put in place for the respondent’s fair trial and defence under the laws of the requesting country (USA) to the extent that the respondent is not prejudiced on account of his race, religion, nationality and to ensure that his trial shall be limited to the extradition offence provable by the facts on which his surrender is granted devoid of any superficial sentiments and considerations.”