Fugitive gets time to challenge extradition

A magistrate has granted a Kenyan wanted in the US for money laundering more time to file his written submissions challenging his extradition.

When the case came up for mention yesterday before Milimani Chief Magistrate Micheni Wendy, the suspect Abdulrahman Imraan Juma, through his lawyers led by Danstan Omari asked the court for more time to enable him file his submissions.

“We request the court to be given 10 more days to file our submissions,” he said.

The magistrate granted the request and directed the matter to be mentioned on March 18 for further directions.

Juma who is being detained at the Gigiri Police Station since December 15, 2021 is said to be part of an international gang that conspires to commit wire fraud, money laundering and aggravated identity theft by targeting unsuspecting businessmen in need of loan facilities. 

 While denying him bond, the magistrate said the prosecution has tabled before court compelling reasons to warrant his denial of bail.

“The offence the suspect is facing is serious which needs an extradition application to be dealt with first before making other orders,” said the magistrate.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) through senior State prosecutor Catherine Mwaniki has filed an application seeking to extradite to the US the fugitive.

“We are signifying to the court that a requisition for Juma’s extradition and surrender has been made and requires the court to issue a warrant for apprehension and extradition of the fugitive who is accused in the United States District Court for the Central District of California,” said Mwaniki.