TerrorismNigerian terrorist to be extradited to U.S.
Nigeria is set to extradite Lawal Babafemi, also known as Abdullah Ayatollah Mustapher, to the United States to answer terrorism charges. Babafemi was paid $8,600 by AQAP to recruit English speaking Nigerians to work in AQAP’s English-language media network, al-Malahem, which includes a magazine titled Inspire.
Lawal Babfemi will be extraded the United States // Source: cknnigeria.com
Nigeria is set to extradite Lawal Babafemi, also known as Abdullah Ayatollah Mustapher, to the United States to answer terrorism charges. The order was issued by Justice Ahmed Mohammed in a Federal High court in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
The Nigerian Tribune reports that Babafemi is allegedly a member of al Qaeda, accusations made based on his actions while he was in the United States and other countries. The 28 August ruling was to be executed on or before 11 September 2013. Justice Mohammed declared “All documents in relation to the suit in the local court plus the charges filed by the Federal Government of Nigeria and other material evidence against the suspect must be transferred along with him.’’
Sulaiman Yahaya, counsel for Babafemi opposed the application, claiming that Babafemi did not commit terrorist acts on American soil, and the extradition requests are without warrant. The U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of New York issued a 4-count charge against Babafemi. The charges include conspiracy to provide support to a foreign terrorist organization, provision and attempted provision of material support to a foreign terrorist organization, and unlawful use of firearms and conspiracy to unlawfully use firearms. This is in addition to a bench warrant issued for Babafemi’s arrest by a U.S court. If convicted, the charges results in a minimum sentence of ten years and a maximum of life imprisonment.
According to the application for extradition, Babafemi fled from the United States to Nigeria upon realizing he was wanted by the FBI. U.S. authorities accuse Babafemi for traveling to Yemen between January 2010 and 2011 to train with Al Qeada in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). It is also alleged that Babafemi admitted upon interrogation that he was paid $8,600 by AQAP to recruit English speaking Nigerians to work in AQAP’s English-language media network, al-Malahem, which includes a magazine titled Inspire. AQAP claimed responsibility of the 25 December 2009 attempted bombing by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a Nigerian national often referred to as the Underwear Bomber.
Lawal Babafemi is currently being held in Nigeria by the Department of State Services (DSS).
