The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the extradition of a Nigerian, Temitope Omotade, to the U.S. District Court of Minnesota to face his trial over allegations bordering on wire fraud, among others.
Justice Peter Lifu, in a judgment, held that the application made by the Attorney-General of the Federation was meritorious.
The Tide’s source reports that the AGF had made the application for the extradition of Omotade to the U.S.
He is a suspect in a superseding five-count indictment bordering on five counts in case number: 22-CR-24 SRN/HB filed on February 8, 2022, at the US District Court.
The offences in counts one, two and three bordered on mail and wire fraud in violation of Title 18 US Code, Sections 1341 and 1343, and 1349, which carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison in each of the counts.
Counts four and five bordered on aggravated identity theft and aiding and abetting, in violation of Title 18 US Codes, Sections 1028A (a)(1) and 2, which carry a maximum penalty of two years in prison for each count, consecutive to any other term of imprisonment imposed on the defendant.
In the AGF’s application, he contended that the request was grounded on an extradition packet and diplomatic notes from the US, including a sealed indictment from the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota and a warrant for Omotade’s arrest.
He argued that all statutory requirements under the Extradition Act have been met because the offences are non-political, non-trivial, and made in good faith.
He submitted that the Central Authority Unit had established that proper certifications and documentation, including affidavits from US officials, relevant statute copies, and passport details, accompanied the formal request.
Besides, the AGF said there were no pending local criminal proceedings in Nigeria against Omotade for the specified offences, and adequate assurances regarding non-prejudicial trial conditions in the US had been secured.
He asserted that the request and accompanying materials satisfied all conditions for the surrender of Omotade, who was the sole respondent in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/494/2024.
The AGF maintained that the legal procedures complied with the Oaths Act and the Extradition Act, adding that the interest of justice dictated that the request be granted, “as the respondent is duly accused of the indictments brought against him abroad.”
But Omotade, in his counter affidavit filed by his lawyer, prayed the court to dismiss the suit.
Omotade denied all allegations of mail fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy, and aggravated identity theft, maintaining that his connection to Roxanne Gilbert involved no criminal concord or digital proceeds.
He contended that the extradition application lacked substantive proof and statutory backing for several reasons.
According to him, the supporting documents lack any blockchain analysis, financial trails, chat histories, or video calls, reducing the case to mere identification particulars like a passport data page and airway bill rather than active culpability, while pointing to potential identity theft by third parties.
He said he was under active specialist medical management for hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) and elevated liver functions, among other arguments.
He argued that his surrender would be unjust, oppressive and disproportionate given his fragile health and the physical rigors of international transfer and detention by the EFCC, among other arguments.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Lifu held that upon careful consideration of the affidavits, the documentary evidence, the submissions of learned counsel and the relevant provisions of the Extradition Act, he was satisfied that the AGF had established the necessary basis for Omotade’s extradition to the United States of America.
The judge observed that though Omotade cited health reasons in his arguments, he said the materials as presented in the record did not sufficiently establish that if Omotade surrendered himself, it would expose him to a grave and unavoidable medical consequence, or that the necessary medical attention could not be obtained in the requesting country.
He agreed with the AGF that medical care is available in the US and that Omotade had not discharged the burden of establishing that the extradition would be practically unjust or oppressive.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has decorated 106 newly promoted Comptrollers of Immigration (CI) with their new ranks.  

The event, which was held at the Headquarters of the NIS in Abuja, was attended by the Comptroller General of the NIS, Kemi Nanna Nandap, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Tunde Disu, and representatives of the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Audi.

The Comptroller-General of the NIS, Mrs Nandap, charged the newly decorated senior officers to ensure that the ongoing reforms and investment in the Service translated into stronger border security, effective and efficient processes, improved intelligence coordination, and increased public confidence.

Nandap warned the newly decorated Controllers against corruption, extortion, abuse of office, professional negligence, and indiscipline. She urged them to be vigilant, resilient and accountable in their commitment to service delivery.

Highlighting the significance of their promotions, Nandap said the officers should exercise significant authority in matters relating to national security, international travel, migration, and the lives of individuals who interact with the NIS.

She described the promotion as a celebration of professional achievement, dedication, perseverance, and the rewards of faithful service to the nation.

She said: “Such authority must never be abused. Let me therefore state unambiguously that corruption, extortion, abuse of office, professional negligence, and indiscipline have no place in the Nigerian immigration service we have built here. 

“I expect every controller to demonstrate zero tolerance for misconduct, and to ensure that officers follow their supervision and understand the consequences of violating established standards.

“You cannot demand integrity from your subordinates while compromising your own principles. You cannot insist on discipline while tolerating misconduct. And you definitely cannot expect full confidence where accountability is absent. Leadership begins with personal example.

“I therefore charge you to uphold the highest standards of honesty, fairness, transparency, and professional conduct. Let your commands be known for efficiency rather than excuses.”

Speaking on the reforms in the Service, Nandap charged officers to ensure the reforms are not merely understood at headquarters, but effectively implemented across commands, border posts, airports, and all operational formations.

“You must take ownership of the systems entrusted to your formations. You must ensure that officers are properly trained. You must identify operational weaknesses and insist on measurable improvements.

 “Our investments must translate into stronger border security, more efficient immigration processes, improved intelligence coordination, better child life experiences, and increased public confidence.

“There is another responsibility that I consider fundamental to your new roles, and that is the responsibility to protect the integrity and reputation of the Nigerian immigration service,” she said.

“You must demonstrate the capacity to interpret policies, exercise sound judgment, anticipate challenges, inspire personnel, and translate strategic objectives into measurable operational results. You must move from managing activities to delivering outcomes.

“From exercising authority to demonstrating leadership. From occupying positions to making meaningful institutional impacts.

“The Service does not simply need more senior officers. It needs more effective leaders. Leaders who understand that a command is not a privilege to be enjoyed, but a responsibility to be discharged,” Nandap added.

In his remarks, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, described the mandates of the Police and NIS as “interconnected”.

He reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to strengthen continental partnerships for greater security in Nigeria. 

“As you assume your new ranks and responsibilities, I encourage you to continue to lead with integrity, discipline, humility, and increased sense of substance.

“May you justify the confidence reposed in you and inspire officers and men under your command to greater accomplishment,” IGP Disu said.

The Nigerian Air Force has approved a major shake-up of its senior leadership, involving fresh appointments and postings across its operational commands, strategic institutions and Defence Headquarters.

The exercise, approved by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, on November 7, 2026, is aimed at strengthening command effectiveness, enhancing institutional capacity and sustaining operational readiness.

In a statement yesterday, the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the appointments covered Service Headquarters, operational commands, training institutions and other strategic establishments.

The statement partly read, “The NAF has approved a major strategic realignment of its senior leadership through a fresh round of postings and appointments designed to strengthen command effectiveness, enhance institutional capacity and sustain operational readiness in support of national security objectives.

“The exercise, approved by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, on 7 November 2026, takes effect from November 2026.

“The appointments span Service Headquarters, operational commands, Defence Headquarters, training institutions and other strategic establishments, reflecting a deliberate effort to align leadership competencies and professional experience with the Service’s evolving operational and institutional priorities.”

At the NAF Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal AK Ademuwagun was appointed Chief of Transformation and Innovation, while AVM IV Ajiboye became Superintendent of Standards and Evaluation.

Other appointments include AVM PN Amadi as Chief of Air Intelligence; AVM NN Ananaba as Chief of Operations; AVM AH Bakari as Air Provost Marshal; AVM EE Efiom as Chief of Training; and AVM AJ Laoye as Chief of Aircraft Engineering.

The Air Force also appointed AVM NI Ilo as Air Officer Commanding, Tactical Air Command; AVM BR Mamman as AOC, Mobility Command; AVM OS Ogunsina as AOC, Logistics Command; AVM MN Onyebashi as AOC, Special Operations Command; and AVM FCS Nwakara as AOC, Ground Training Command.

At the institutional level, AVM PB Philips was appointed Commandant of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, while AVM MC Ekwueme became Commandant of the Armed Forces Resettlement Centre.

Similarly, AVM AO Akinbunwa was appointed Commandant of the Air Force War College, while AVM OC Ubadike became Commandant of the Air Force Institute of Technology.

Other appointments include AVM AI Sambo as Commandant of the Nigerian Air Force College of Logistics and Management, and AVM M Yusuf as Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

At the Defence Headquarters, AVM UK Abdullahi was appointed Director of Defence Operations, while AVM EOE Ebiowe was posted to the Office of the National Security Adviser as Deputy Coordinator, National Intelligence.

Also, AVM DDG Pwajok was appointed Director of Technical Services at the Defence Intelligence Agency, while AVM I Sani became Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence.

Other senior officers were posted to various directorates at the Defence Headquarters, including operations, military strategy, cyber operations, civil-military relations, search and rescue, special duties and joint warfare doctrine.

The appointments also affected the Defence Space Administration, where AVM AA Suleh was named Deputy Chief, while AVM OA Oyename and AVM SS Lazarus were appointed Directors of Earth Observation and Launch Vehicles and Space Operations, respectively.

Furthermore, AVM GI Jibia was appointed Deputy Force Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, while AVM JI Ukeh became Commander of the Nigerian Air Defence Corps.

The statement said the exercise was part of efforts to strengthen leadership renewal, institutional accountability and operational effectiveness across the service.

According to the CAS, the professional competence and wealth of experience of the newly appointed officers would advance his command philosophy and strengthen the Air Force’s capacity to deliver decisive airpower effects in support of joint operations and national security objectives.

“All affected officers are expected to assume their new appointments and complete the necessary handover and takeover formalities on or before November 13, 2026,” the statement concluded.