AUGUST 29, 2013
An Abuja Federal High Court on Wednesday ordered the extradition of a Nigerian Al-Qaeda suspect, Lawal Olaniyi Babafemi, to the United States of America, where he is wanted for alleged involvement in terrorism related activities.
The US Mission in Nigeria on Wednesday said in a statement that the US Department of Justice ‘unsealed’ an ‘indictment’ on Tuesday on Babafemi in the federal court in Brooklyn, New York, charging him with “providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organisation – al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.’’
The US Department of Justice is also pressing criminal charges of “using high-powered firearms in furtherance of that crime” against Babafemi, who is a native of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
The 32-year-old Babafemi is also said to be known as “Abdullah” and “Ayatollah Mustapher.”
He was charged with “conspiracy to provide support to a foreign terrorist organisation, provision and attempted provision of material support to a foreign terrorist organisation, unlawful use of firearms and conspiracy to unlawfully use firearms.”
On conviction, each of the offences attracts a minimum sentence of 10 years and maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Abuja FHC ordered Babafemi’s surrender to US authorities after granting an extradition application filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
Babafemi did not oppose the extradition application, Justice Mohammed disclosed while delivering a ruling on the motion.
The judge directed that he should be surrendered to relevant officials of the US Government within 15 days of the approval of the extradition order.
The suspect is to be kept in the custody of the State Security Service until he is handed over to the US authorities.
Justice Mohammed said, “I have read the necessary and relevant documents which emanated from the Office of the AGF.
“The respondent (Babafemi) is not contesting or denying the proceeding which seeks to extradite him to the United States.
“Since there is no form of objection to the application from the respondent, this court is satisfied that the application is in order.”
He therefore ordered that “the respondent be extradited to the United States to face the indictment against him.”
The US-based terrorism suspect was said to have fled to Nigeria when he realised that he was to be arrested by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.
He was however arrested in Nigeria and detained by the SSS.
According to documents filed by the Federal Government before the Abuja FHC, US authorities accused Babafemi of belonging to the “Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula”, an affiliate of the Al-Qaeda terrorist network.
He was alleged to have travelled to Yemen between January 2010 and August 2011 to train with the group and relate with its senior members, including the now deceased Anwar al-Aulaqi and Samir Khan.
In a related development, the Federal Government also on Wednesday, arraigned two Nigerians accused of belonging to an unnamed Iranian terrorist group.
The suspects – Abdullahi Mustapha Berende and Saidi Adewumni – pleaded not guilty to the six count charge filed against them.
The two suspects were charged under the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2013.
They were, among other crimes, accused of using technological devices, including cameras, to perpetrate terrorism activities in Lagos.
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