Just In: Court Approves-Extradition Of Samuel-Abiodun To U.S. For Wire Fraud-Trial (View-Details)

Just In: Court Approves-Extradition Of Samuel-Abiodun To U.S. For Wire Fraud-Trial (View-Details)

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) has received approval from the Federal High Court in Lagos to extradite Samuel Abiodun to the United States to face charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Both offences carry a 20-year jail term.

Justice Akintayo Aluko issued the order on June 14, following the AGF’s application, argued by Kehinde Fagbemi of the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The Federal Government sought Abiodun’s extradition to answer two counts: wire fraud, violating Title 18, U.S. Code Section 1343, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, violating Title 18, U.S. Code Section 1956(h), both carrying a maximum 20-year imprisonment.

Abiodun, through his counsel Demola Adekoya, denied the allegations and challenged the court’s authority to order his extradition.

Justice Aluko, evaluating the evidence, found sufficient grounds to show that Abiodun had a case to answer in the U.S. He noted that the respondent misunderstood the issues regarding the treaty between Nigeria and the United States, which authorized the court to grant the extradition request.

Referencing a Supreme Court decision, Justice Aluko stated that the extradition treaty between the U.S. and Great Britain, signed on December 22, 1931, is binding on Nigeria and enforceable in this case.

“Leveraging the Supreme Court’s decision, the extradition treaty between the United States and Great Britain signed in London on December 22, 1931, is binding on Nigeria and enforceable in this case,” he said.

“In light of this, the issue is resolved in favor of the applicant. There is merit and substance in the application. Judgment is entered for the applicant. The application of the Attorney General of the Federation for the surrender and extradition of the respondent, Samuel Abiodun, to the United States is hereby granted.

“The respondent is further committed to prison custody and shall remain in Nigerian Correctional Service to await the decision of the Attorney-General of the Federation for his surrender to the United States to face his trial.”