Court Grants AGF’s Request To Extradite Alleged Fraud Suspect To America

Court Grants AGF’s Request To Extradite Alleged Fraud Suspect To America

Justice Daniel Osiagor, of a Lagos Federal High Court, today, granted the request of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to extradite one Adedunmola Gbadegesin, to United States of America (USA), to face fraud related charges.

Justice Osiagor granted the AGF’s request to extradite the alleged fraud suspect, after taken arguments on the extradition application filed and argued by Dr. Pius Akutah, a Chief Counsel in the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

AGF had approached the court for  Adedunmola’s extradition in a suit numbered FHC/L/CS/765/2021.

The application according to Dr. Akutah, is pursuant to extradition Act (Cap. E25) laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

In the application, Adedunmola is to face two counts charges of conspitacy to commit Wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. 

Each of the offences are in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1343 and 1349, with the maximum penalty of 20 years In prison.

Justice Osiagor after hearing from Dr. Akutah and the counter Affidavit filed by the Counsel to the alleged fraud suspect, held that: “Original request order of Magistrate Court from the United States of America, Original request letter duly signed by the interpol and the Attorney-General of Nigeria application to release the defendant are all attached.

“I am satisfied that the applicant have been able to establish prima facie case against the respondents which warrant the prayers sought in motion papers to be considered. 

“Consequently I hereby ordered that the respondent be remanded in the interpol custody pending the approval of Attorney-General of the Federation consent for his extradition to the United States of America”.

AGF in an affidavit deposed to by Bello Abubakar Sholadoye, State Counsel, Central Authority Unit, International Cooperation Department, Federal Ministry of Justice, stated that the Honnourable AGF and Minister of Justice Informed him on July, 2021, that the United States of America made a request to him for the surender and extradition of Adedunmola Gbadegesin.

Bello stated that he is satisfed that provision is made by the Laws of the USA such that so long as Adedunmola Gbadegesin has not had reasonable opportunity of remaining in Nigeria, he will not be detained or tried in that Country for any offence committed before his surrender other than the extradition offence which con be proved by the fact on which his surrender is sought. 

He also stated that he is satisfied that the offence in respect of which  Adedunmola Gbadegesin is surrender and sought for, is not an offence of a political character. And that he is satisfied that the request for the surrender of Adedunmola Gbadegesin was not made for the purpose of prosecuting or punishing him on account of his race, religion, nationality or political opinions and that the said request was made in good faith and in the interest of justice 

He stated that Adedunmola Gbadegesin, if surrendered, will not be prejudiced and will not be punished, detained or restricted in his personal liberty by reason of his race, nationality oF political opinions. Adding that he is satisfied that the offence for which the suspect surrender is sought is not trivial in nature of that having regard to all the circumstances In which the offence was committed it will not be unjust or oppressive, or be too severe a punishment, to surrender him. 

He stated that he is satisfied that the suspect has been accused of the offence for which his surrender is sought.

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