The Federal High Court in Lagos has approved the extradition of Samuel Abiodun to the United States to face charges of alleged wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Justice Akintayo Aluko granted the order on June 14, following an application by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and argued by Kehinde Fagbemi of the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The charges against Abiodun, which carry a maximum 20-year imprisonment each, include “Wire fraud in violation of Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 1343” and “Conspiracy to commit money laundering in violation of Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 1956 (h).” Despite Abiodun's denial of the allegations and his challenge to the court’s authority to order his extradition, Justice Aluko ruled that there was sufficient evidence for him to face trial in the U.S.
READ ALSO
Court Orders Forfeiture of Emefiele’s Properties Worth N12.18 Billion
Court Nullifies Muhammadu Sanusi II’s Reinstatement as Emir of Kano
Justice Aluko emphasized the validity of the extradition treaty between Nigeria and the United States, signed in 1931 between the U.S. and Great Britain, affirming its binding nature on Nigeria. He concluded that the Federal Government had a strong case, and the application for Abiodun’s extradition had merit.
“The respondent is committed to prison custody and shall remain in the Nigerian Correctional Service to await the Attorney General’s decision for his surrender to the United States,” Justice Aluko declared.
