Court okays extradition of Nigerian accused of defrauding 70 US law firms | Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog

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Wednesday 27 July 2011

Court okays extradition of Nigerian accused of defrauding 70 US law firms

A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday granted an application by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, for the extradition of a Canada-based Nigerian, Emmanuel Ekhator, who is wanted in the United States for alleged criminal conducts. 

Ekhator is wanted in the US over his alleged link with a group that defrauded some US law firms of about $26million. He evaded arrest in the US last year, escaped to Nigeria and was found and arrested in Benin, Edo State early this year by EFCC.

 
Justice Fatimat Nyako held that with the evidence provided by the prosecution, the court was convinced that Ekhator should be extradited to the US to stand trial on charges against him at the US District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

The court ordered the US Embassy and the Federal Government to perfect his travel arrangement and ensure his extradition within 15 days.


Ekhator, who is said to be a member of a syndicate that specialises in internet fraud, is accused of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, involvement in mail and wire frauds and money laundering. Most of the offences are said to attract a maximum of 20 years imprisonment.

He was said to have evaded arrest in the US last year and escaped to Nigeria. The US’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was said to have placed him on its watch list.

He was found in Benin, Edo State, where he was arrested earlier this year by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

EFCC, in a supporting affidavit to the extradition application, said Ekhator, who holds a Masters degree from the University of Bradford, West Yorkshire, resided in Canada with his wife, Nkechi.

The commission described Ekhator as the arrowhead of a ring of fraudsters operating between Canada, US and the Asian Peninsular, that had defrauded some law firms of $29 million.

Ekhator and his gang were alleged to have, between August 2008 and August 2010 fleeced about 70 US law of over $29 million.

EFCC said its investigation revealed that Ekhator and his gang simply contacts law firms through e-mails, posing as potential clients, claiming to be representatives of foreign companies, seeking legal representation to help negotiate and collect, on their behalf, claims and settlement in cases like real estate transaction, divorce or torts.


9 comments:

Anonymous said...

SO SAD

Bella said...

Its quite unfortunate that some of our people are painting the nation red. when they have the opportunity to tell the outside world that Nigerians are not so fraudulent.LET HIM GO AND FACE THE MUSIC.

CLF said...

I like this part; "he was found in Benin, Edo State, where he was arrested earlier this year by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC.)"

So, EFCC did some INTERPOL work here. Fantastic.

The guy kind of looks familiar...

Funke said...

Kudos to Efcc for the good work done. I must say i am surprised the guy was found in the first place. Maybe they are not as bad as i thought they were.

Anonymous said...

This guy was celebrated in the July 2009 edition of Ovation International. Dele Momodu celebrates criminals!

Anonymous said...

UP BENDEL!!!

Anonymous said...

Guddos to the guy, who talk say Nigerians no get brian, We have talents na FG just dey dull us. wetin happen to Bankole now? instead of arresting this guy let EFCC go arrest their grand Patron, Obasanjo ontop Operation Feed the Nation. If EFCC no leave this guy alone or if they should plan on taking him back to US. then All NIGERIA AIRPORTS are in Risk o!

Ade_Cool said...

Really coming to terms that EFCC actually traced this guy to Benin..truly ground breaking stuff..wonder how much token payment the US Govt had to give in order to facilitate the process...
Ovation!!..how come I'm not surprised after all its only in Nigeria..where you turn up with a Bentley and people celebrate and jump in for a ride..not giving a damn about how you came across the $$$ to buy that Bentley..
Well he's got to take the wrap..guess it's Baked Beans for the rest of his life on Earth..especially if it's a Federal offence!!..
Can only imagine what he had gotten up to in Canada..where they dish out Credit anyhow...

CHARLES said...

PLEASE EFCC, LEAVE THE GUY ALONE BEFORE I GO VES OO. DON,T YOU PEOPLE KNOW WHERE YOU WILL START FROM BEFORE COMING TO THIS LEVEL YOU FUCKERS.

CHARLES

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