- 7 Suspects Face Tough Time
By Kolawole Ojebisi
After months of negotiation with the South African authorities, the United States government has successfully extradited a Nigerian, Enorense Izevbigie, to the US to face trial over an alleged involvement in cybercrime activities.
Izevbigie, who is said to be among a seven-man syndicate arrested in South Africa, risks a 20-year jail term if found guilty.
This was announced in a statement by the US Attorney, Phillip Sellinger, on Wednesday.
The extradition is happening almost a year after the discussion between South Africa and the USA began
Recall that on February 21, 2024, a Cape Town Magistrate Court hinted at the likely extradition of Izevbigie and six other co-conspirators who were alleged Black Axe syndicate members to the United States after Magistrate Ingrid Arntsen of the US determined that there was sufficient evidence for prosecution.
The court, according to the Western Cape National Prosecuting Authority, had acknowledged the validity of the US-issued certificate and found ample evidence against the accused.
The seven suspects, all Nigerians linked to the alleged romance scam, are: Perry Osagiede, Enorense Izevbiege, Franklin Edosa Osagiede, Osariemen Eric Clement, Collins Owhofasa Otughwor, Musa Mudashiru, and Prince Ibeabuchi Mark.
Announcing the extradition of Izevbigie, Sellinger noted that the suspect was charged in a Trenton federal court on two counts bordering on wire fraud and money laundering on December 16, 2024.
The statement read, “A leader of the Cape Town Zone of the Neo Black Movement of Africa, also known as “Black Axe,” who was extradited from South Africa to the United States on wire fraud and money laundering charges, had his initial appearance today (December 16, 2024) in Trenton federal court.
“Enorense Izevbigie, aka “Richy Izevbigie,” aka “Lord Samuel S Nujoma,” 49, originally from Nigeria, is charged in a superseding indictment with two counts of wire fraud, wire fraud conspiracy, and money laundering conspiracy, spanning from 2011 to 2021.
“He had his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni in Trenton federal court and was detained pending trial.”
The suspect was alleged to have committed the offences between 2011 and 2021 alongside other members of the syndicate by using several tactics to defraud some unsuspecting US citizens in a coordinated romance scam.
The statement added that court documents indicated the suspects’ tactics as comprising false narratives about a traveller who needed money for several unforeseen situations.
It continued, “From at least 2011 through 2021, Izevbigie and other conspirators worked together from Cape Town to engage in widespread internet fraud involving romance scams and advance fee schemes.
“Many of these fraudulent narratives involved claims that an individual was travelling to South Africa for work and needed money or other items of value following a series of unfortunate and unforeseen events, often involving a construction site or problems with a crane.
“The conspirators used social media websites, online dating websites, and voice-over-internet protocol phone numbers to find and talk with victims in the United States while using many aliases.”
The statement, while acknowledging that the suspect is presumed innocent until found guilty, indicated that a guilty conviction could land the suspect in a 20-year jail term and a fine of $750,000 for both counts.
“The wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud charges each carry a maximum term of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. The money laundering conspiracy charge carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, whichever is greatest.
“Izevbigie, along with six named co-defendants, were arrested in South Africa in 2021. The six named co-defendants are awaiting extradition to the United States,” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, the NBM had in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Mr O. Dickson, and published on its website, suspended the suspects.
The NBM noted that the actions of the suspects contradicted “Section 2(8) of the constitution of NBM of Africa which forbids involvement in any form of social vice nay crime. Section 2 of the constitution of NBM of Africa is too important to be interfered with.
“After carefully analying and considering the situation and alleged actions of Mr Richy Enorense lzevbigie, Mr Perry Osagiede, Mr Franklyn Edosa Osagiede, Mr Egbe Anthony Iyamu, Mr Osariemen Eric Clement, Mr Collins Owhofasa Otughwor, Mr Musa Mudashiru and Mr Prince Ibeh Mark and the effect on members in Cape Town Zone; Such acts being inimical and against the provisions of the Code of conduct of NBM OF AFRICA; Mr Richy Enorense Izevbigie, Mr Perry Osagiede, Mr Franklyn Edosa Osagiede, Mr Egbe Anthony lyamu, Mr Osariemen Eric Clement, Mr Collins Owhofasa Otughwor, Mr Musa Mudashiru and Mr Prince Ibeh Mark are to proceed on an indefinite suspension pending the determination of their cases,” Dickson said.
