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Court orders extradition of Nigerian to US over wire fraud
Court orders extradition of Nigerian to US over wire fraud
Attorney general of the Federation (AGF) has got the nod of Federal High Court sitting in Lagos to extradite Samuel Abiodun to United States of America to face trial for alleged wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Both offences carry a 20-year jail term.
Justice Akintayo Aluko gave the order on June 14, following AGF’s application filed and argued by Kehinde Fagbemi of Federal Ministry of Justice.
The Federal Government prayed for surrender/extradition of Abiodun, the respondent, to face two counts: “Wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code (U.S.C), Section 1343, carrying a maximum 20-year imprisonment. Count 2: Conspiracy to commit money laundering, in violation of Title 18, United States Code (U.S.C), Section 1956 (h), carrying a 20-year imprisonment”.
Abiodun, through his counsel, Demola Adekoya, denied the allegations, and challenged, among others, the court’s power to order his extradition.
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But, evaluating the evidence against him, Justice Aluko said Federal Government had sufficient evidence to show Abiodun had a case to answer in America.
He noted the respondent misconceived the issues of the treaty between Nigeria and United States authorising the court to grant an extradition request.
Justice Aluko held: “Leveraging on decision of the Supreme court, the extradition treaty between United States and Great Britain signed in London on December 22, 1931, is binding on Nigeria and enforceable in the case.
“Against this background, the issue is resolved in favour of the applicant against the respondent.
“To this end, there is merit and substance in the application. Judgment is entered for the applicant.
“The application of Attorney General of the Federation for the surrender and extradition of the respondent, Samuel Abiodun, to United States is hereby granted.
“The respondent is further committed to prison custody and shall remain in Nigerian Correctional Service to await decision of the Attorney-General of the Federation for his surrender to United States to face his trial…’’
Court orders extradition of Nigerian to US over wire fraud
News
Just in: Tinubu swears in Rivers Sole Administrator Ibas
Just in: Tinubu swears in Rivers Sole Administrator Ibok-ete Ibas
President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Vice Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (Retd.) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State.
The administrator was sworn in on Wednesday after a short meeting with the President.
Tinubu announced the appointment of the retired naval chief at a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, when he declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor, Ngozi Odu, and the state House of Assembly members.
The President said his decision was based on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, saying he could not continue to watch the political situation in Rivers escalate without taking concrete action.
The suspension of Fubara and other elected representatives has been rejected and condemned by many eminent Nigerians, legal luminaries, groups such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Femi Falana, the Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Nigerian Bar Association.
However, the emergency rule has been praised by the pro-Nyesom Wike Assembly led by Martins Amaewhule, accusing Fubara of contravening the Supreme Court ruling on the political situation in the state.
Ibas was the Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021.
He is from Cross River State where he had his early education.
The new sole administrator went to the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1979 from where he proceeded to have a successful career in the Navy, rising through the ranks to the very top.
He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and the Nigerian Institute of Management.
President Muhammadu Buhari who appointed him as Chief of Naval Staff conferred him with the National Honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) in 2022.
News
Breaking: Tinubu declares state of emergency in Rivers State
Breaking: Tinubu declares state of emergency in Rivers State
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday night declared a state of emergency in Rivers State following the protracted political crisis in the state.
Tinubu made the declaration during a nationwide broadcast, saying it is for six months.
He announced the suspension of the Executive Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and all the members of the House of Assembly for six months.
He immediately named an administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Retd), to take charge of the affairs of the state for the six-month period.
Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution interprets a state of emergency as a situation of national danger or disaster in which a government suspends normal constitutional procedures to regain control.
A state of emergency allows the President to immediately make any desired regulations to secure public order and safety. (Channels TV)
News
BREAKING: Tinubu addresses Nigerians on Rivers political crisis
BREAKING: Tinubu addresses Nigerians on Rivers political crisis
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday night will hold a nationwide broadcast to address the crisis in Rivers state.
Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said the broadcast will be transmitted by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).
The broadcast is expected to be held by 7pm today.
Video: President Tinubu has declared state on emergency on Rivers state effective immediately, suspends Governor Fubara, his deputy governor and house of assembly members for six months.
He also nominated an administrator pic.twitter.com/jD1g9FHOez— Nigeria Stories (@NigeriaStories) March 18, 2025
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