The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the extradition of Nigerian national, Temitope Seyi Omotade, to the United States to face trial over alleged mail fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy and aggravated identity theft.
Justice Peter Lifu issued the order on Thursday, November 12, 2026, granting an application by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) after finding that the legal requirements for Omotade’s surrender had been met.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/494/2024, arose from a five-count US indictment filed on February 8, 2022, before the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota under case number 22-CR-24 SRN/HB.
Three counts involve alleged mail fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy under Sections 1341, 1343 and 1349 of Title 18 of the US Code. The other two concern aggravated identity theft and aiding and abetting under Sections 1028A(a)(1) and 2.
The AGF told the court that the extradition request was accompanied by diplomatic notes, a sealed indictment, an arrest warrant and supporting affidavits from US officials.
The government maintained that the offences were non-political, the request was made in good faith and all requirements under Nigeria’s Extradition Act had been satisfied.
Omotade opposed the application, denying the allegations and challenging the evidence. He argued that the documents contained no blockchain analysis, financial records or electronic communications establishing his involvement. He also denied any criminal arrangement with Roxanne Gilbert and suggested that third parties might have misused his identity.
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He further cited his medical condition, saying he was receiving specialist treatment for hepatic steatosis (fatty liver disease) and elevated liver function levels. He argued that extradition and detention could worsen his condition.
Rejecting the objection, Justice Lifu held that the medical evidence did not establish an unavoidable threat to Omotade’s health or show that adequate treatment would be unavailable in the US.
The judge also found no evidence that the request was intended to punish Omotade because of his race, religion, nationality or political opinions, or that any provision of Section 3 of the Extradition Act barred his surrender.
He stressed that extradition proceedings determine whether the legal conditions for surrender have been met, not the guilt or innocence of the person sought. Omotade would have the opportunity to defend himself before the American court.
The court consequently approved his extradition and dismissed his bail application, filed on September 16.
The ruling follows other extradition cases involving Nigerians wanted in the US over alleged financial crimes. In June 2024, the Federal High Court in Lagos approved Samuel Abiodun’s extradition over alleged wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy. Adedunmola Gbadegesin was extradited in April 2022 over allegations linked to romance fraud and money laundering.
However, in August 2022, the Federal High Court in Abuja rejected the Federal Government’s extradition request against suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari.
Omotade’s extradition order is not a conviction. The allegations against him remain to be determined by the US court.