RismadarVoice Reporters
November 12, 2026
The Federal High Court in Abuja has reportedly ordered the extradition of a Nigerian, Temitope Seyi Omotade, to the United States to face criminal charges involving alleged mail fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy and aggravated identity theft.
Justice Peter Lifu granted the application filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), ruling that the legal requirements for extradition had been satisfied.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), US authorities are seeking Omotade’s extradition to stand trial before the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota.
The request relates to a five-count indictment reportedly filed on February 8, 2022, alleging offences under various provisions of Title 18 of the United States Code.
The Federal Government told the court that the application was supported by diplomatic correspondence, a sealed indictment, an arrest warrant and other documents supplied by American authorities.
It argued that the alleged offences were extraditable under Nigerian law and that no legal restriction prevented Omotade’s surrender.
However, Omotade opposed the application, denying involvement in fraudulent transactions and challenging the sufficiency of the evidence presented against him.
Through his lawyer, he argued that the documents did not adequately establish his participation in the alleged offences.
He also raised concerns that his identity might have been misused by other individuals.
The respondent further opposed extradition on medical grounds, citing hepatic steatosis, commonly known as fatty liver disease, and elevated liver enzyme levels.
He maintained that international travel and possible detention could worsen his condition.
In his judgment, Justice Lifu reportedly held that the medical evidence did not sufficiently establish that extradition would expose Omotade to serious, unavoidable health complications.
The judge also found no adequate basis to conclude that the request was politically motivated or intended to subject the respondent to discriminatory treatment.
He emphasised that extradition proceedings were concerned with determining whether the legal conditions for surrender had been fulfilled, rather than deciding the accused person’s guilt or innocence.
The court subsequently ordered Omotade’s extradition to the United States to answer the charges and dismissed his bail application.
The ruling does not amount to a conviction, and Omotade remains entitled to challenge the allegations through the American judicial process.
His actual surrender to US authorities and any subsequent trial proceedings remain separate from the Nigerian court’s extradition order.
