The Cape Town Magistrates Court has granted extradition approval for the alleged Nigerian members of the Black Axe syndicate to be tried in the United States. According to a statement from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Magistrate Ingrid Arntsen found sufficient evidence to support their prosecution....CONTINUE READING
The seven accused individuals, all of Nigerian nationality and linked to an alleged romance scam, include Perry Osagiede, Enorense Izevbiege, Franklin Edosa Osagiede, Osariemen Eric Clement, Collins Owhofasa Otughwor, Musa Mudashiru, and Prince Ibeabuchi Mark. The eighth accused, Toritseju Gabriel Otubu, successfully obtained a separation of his extradition inquiry from the co-accused.
The court ruling affirmed the offenses as extraditable and recognized the validity of the certificate issued by the United States. Magistrate Arntsen, after reviewing the evidence, declared that there was enough grounds to extradite the individuals to the United States and prosecute them.
Toritseju Gabriel Otubu’s extradition hearing, which was separated from the others, will have its judgment delivered on April 12, 2024. The accused were arrested and charged with wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and aggravated identity theft.
The State alleges that the respondents, operating collectively, engaged potential victims through email or social media, posing as engineers and managers working on projects in South Africa. They fabricated false identities and romantic relationships to convince victims to send money to South Africa. The court ordered the accused to be sent to Pollsmoor Prison while awaiting the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services’ decision on their surrender. They have 15 days to appeal the court’s order. The Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions commended the commitment of the legal representatives in bringing the extradition inquiry to a satisfactory conclusion.
