Precious Nwonu, Enugu
Five Nigerians extradited from South Africa to the United States over alleged involvement in wire fraud and money laundering could face a combined maximum sentence of up to 100 years in prison if convicted.
The United States Department of Justice disclosed this in a statement on Monday, stating that the defendants were extradited on September 11, 2026, following their arrest in Cape Town in 2021 at the request of American authorities.
The suspects, identified as Perry Osagiede, 57; Franklyn Edosa Osagiede, 42; Osariemen Eric Clement, 40; Collins Owhofasa Otughwor, 42; and Musa Mudashiru, 38, were scheduled to appear before US District Judge Michael Shipp at the federal court in Trenton.
According to the DOJ, the five men were charged in a superseding indictment with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering over alleged offences committed between 2011 and 2021.
Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede and Clement were also charged individually with wire fraud, while Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede and Otughwor face additional charges of aggravated identity theft.
US Attorney Robert Frazer alleged that the defendants were leaders of the Black Axe organisation and operated within its Cape Town Zone in South Africa.
He alleged that Osagiede founded the Cape Town Zone and served as its leader, while the defendants and other members were involved in various internet fraud schemes.
Frazer said the group allegedly targeted victims in the United States through romance scams and advance-fee schemes, using social media, online dating platforms and Voice over Internet Protocol phone numbers.
According to him, the suspects allegedly operated under different identities and convinced victims that they were involved in genuine romantic relationships before persuading them to send money and valuables overseas.
Some victims were allegedly threatened with the release of sensitive photographs when they hesitated to send money, while funds were also allegedly moved through US bank accounts belonging to victims and other individuals before being transferred to South Africa.
The US attorney further alleged that proceeds from business email compromise schemes, romance scams and advance-fee fraud were laundered through aliases and business entities to conceal their origins.
The DOJ said conspiracy to commit wire fraud and individual wire fraud charges each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
The money laundering conspiracy charge also carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, with a fine of up to $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved, whichever is greater.
Aggravated identity theft, according to the department, carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence to be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed.
The five defendants were extradited to the US on September 11 after spending years in South Africa following their 2021 arrests.
However, the DOJ stressed that the charges remain allegations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in court.
“The charges and allegations contained in the superseding indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty,” Frazer said.