CAPE TOWN – The Cape Town High Court has dismissed appeals from six Nigerian nationals fighting extradition to the United States, where they face charges related to a massive international fraud and money laundering syndicate. The men, Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Edosa Osagiede, Osariemen Eric Clement, Collins Otughwor, Musa Mudashiru, and Prince Ibeabuchi Mark, are alleged to have used romance scams and identity theft to steal at least $17 million from victims worldwide.
Federal investigators from the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service claim the suspects operated for a decade between 2011 and 2021. They reportedly targeted vulnerable individuals and corporate entities using electronic means to commit wire fraud under U.S. law. By adopting false aliases and stealing real identities, the group allegedly convinced women they were in romantic relationships to transfer large sums of money.
The men’s defense focused on the principle of double criminality, which requires that the acts in question be crimes in both the requesting and the holding countries. They argued that the American charges did not perfectly match South African law. The High Court ruled that the extradition treaty between the U.S. and South Africa is conduct-based, meaning the court must examine the suspects’ actions rather than the technical legal labels. The court stated, “The conduct amounted in South Africa to fraud, cybercrimes and money laundering punishable above threshold.” 
Judges Sher and Bhoopchand noted that the Cape Town magistrate had originally ordered the extradition in February 2024. While their reasoning differed slightly, the High Court confirmed the decision to send the men to the U.S. was correct. The ruling also reinforces regional judicial cooperation, making it clear that minor differences in legal definitions cannot prevent prosecution of serious transnational crimes.
The suspects will remain in custody as the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development finalizes arrangements for their surrender to American authorities.
