Five Nigerians Extradited From South Africa Face Up to 100 Years Over US Fraud Charges

Five Nigerians living in South Africa have been extradited to the United States to face charges arising from an alleged decade-long fraud and money-laundering operation, with the defendants potentially facing a combined maximum of 100 years in prison if convicted.

The United States Department of Justice said the five men were extradited from South Africa on September 11, 2026, after being arrested in Cape Town in 2021 at the request of American authorities.

They were expected to appear before US District Judge Michael Shipp at the federal court in Trenton, according to a statement issued by the US Department of Justice on Monday.

The defendants were identified by US Attorney Robert Frazer as Perry Osagiede, 57; Franklyn Edosa Osagiede, 42; Osariemen Eric Clement, 40; Collins Owhofasa Otughwor, 42; and Musa Mudashiru, 38.

The prosecution alleged that the men were involved in criminal activities between 2011 and 2021 and were charged in a superseding indictment with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede and Clement are also facing individual wire fraud charges, while Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede and Otughwor were separately charged with aggravated identity theft.

Frazer alleged that the defendants were senior members of Black Axe, which he described as an organisation based in Benin City, Nigeria, but operating internationally.

According to him, Black Axe is organised into regional chapters referred to as “zones”, with the five defendants allegedly belonging to its Cape Town Zone.

Frazer further alleged that Perry Osagiede established the Cape Town Zone and served as its leader, while the defendants and other alleged members participated in discussions and activities connected to different fraud schemes.

“From at least 2011 through 2021, the Black Axe defendants and other conspirators worked together from Cape Town to engage in widespread internet fraud involving romance scams and advance-fee schemes,” he said.

The prosecution alleged that the group targeted victims in the United States through social media, online dating platforms and Voice over Internet Protocol telephone numbers.

According to Frazer, the suspects allegedly operated under various aliases while cultivating relationships with victims and persuading them that they were involved in genuine romantic relationships.

The victims were allegedly induced to send money and valuables abroad, including to accounts or recipients in South Africa.

Frazer also alleged that, in some cases, victims who were reluctant to continue sending money were threatened with the release of sensitive photographs.

The alleged operation also involved the use of American bank accounts belonging to victims and other individuals to move money to South Africa, according to the prosecution.

Beyond romance scams, the attorney alleged that the defendants were involved in laundering proceeds generated through business email compromise schemes, advance-fee fraud and other fraudulent activities.

The money was allegedly moved through aliases and business entities established to disguise the origin of the proceeds.

The potential penalties facing the defendants vary according to the charges.

The DOJ said each wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud count carries 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 prison term of 20 years and a fine of up to $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved, whichever is greater.

The aggravated identity theft charges carry a mandatory two-year prison sentence, which must be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed on a defendant.

The department said the five men were initially arrested in South Africa in 2021 following requests from US authorities before their extradition to the United States on September 11, 2026.

However, the US government stressed that the allegations contained in the indictment had not been proven 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.