May 29, 2012 by Ade Adesomoju
A Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos on Monday, granted an application by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Bello Adoke, seeking that Godwin Nzeocha, be extradited to the United States of America to face charges for alleged $30m fraud.
The money was said to be part of Health Care Benefit fund in the US.
In his ruling, Justice James Tsoho held that the prosecution’s extradition application was competent and that Nzeocha’s alleged offences were “returnable offences.”
Tsoho, in his ruling, held that Nzeocha must be extradited to the US within a period of one month to face trial.
Nzeocha, 54, was said to have worked with the City Nursing Services in Houston, Texas, US as a Physical Therapist Aide between 2007 and 2009.
He was alleged to have conspired with others and submitted, on behalf of some patients who were beneficiaries of health insurance, claims worth $45m to the Medicare and Medicaid for health care services.
Nzeocha and his accomplices were said to have received $30m but failed to remit the funds to the purported beneficiaries.
But Nzeocha allegedly fled the US to Nigeria after he was taken before a United States District Court in the Southern District of Texas, Houston by the United States Department of Justice on October 19, 2009.
The United States Department of Justice accused Nzeocha of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, money laundering and mail fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in June 2011 arrested Nzeocha, following a petition from the Legal Attaché to the United States Consular Office, Lagos, on behalf of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The charge against Nzeocha read in part, “Conspiracy to commit health care fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349, carrying penalty on conviction of a fine of up to $250,000, or imprisonment of not more than 10 years, or both; supervised released of not more than three years; and a special assessment of $100.00 for each convicted offence.”
via Punch http://www.punchng.com/news/court-okays-nigerians-extradition-to-us-for-30m-fraud/
| Posted: at | |
TRENDING GISTS 
Watch Touching Video Of Lady Surprising Boyfriend Who’s An Okada Rider
Sports Minister, John Enoh Roots For Peseiro’s Return To Super Eagles
Just in: EFCC Withdraws Suit Against Yahaya Bello In Appeal Court Over Alleged Fr@ud
Federal Govt Suspends Dana Airline Indefinitely Over Safety Concerns