Five Nigerian men described as leaders of the Cape Town Zone of the Neo Black Movement of Africa, widely known as Black Axe, have been extradited to the United States to face federal fraud charges.
The men could spend a combined 100 years in prison if convicted.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the United States Department of Justice, they made their initial appearance and arraignment at 1:00 pm on Monday, September 14, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp at the Trenton federal court in New Jersey.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer.
Who are the defendants?
Court filings identified the defendants as Perry Osagiede, 57, also known as "Lord Sutan Abubakar de 1st," "Rob Nicolella" and "Alan Salomon"; Franklyn Edosa Osagiede, 42, also known as “Lord Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela," "Edosa Franklyn Osagiede," "Dave Hewitt" and "Bruce Dupont"; Osariemen Eric Clement, 40, also known as "Lord Adekunle Ajasi" and “Aiden Wilson"; Collins Owhofasa Otughwor, 42, also known as "Lord Jesse Makoko" and "Philip Coughlan"; and Musa Mudashiru, 38, also known as "Lord Oba Akenzua".
All five are originally from Nigeria and were based in Cape Town, South Africa.
Investigators say Perry Osagiede founded the Cape Town Zone and served as its zonal head. The other four were also identified as leaders within the zone.
They are charged in a superseding indictment with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The alleged crimes span from 2011 to 2021.
Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede and Clement face additional counts of wire fraud. Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede and Otughwor are also charged with aggravated identity theft.
How the alleged scheme worked
According to court documents, the group ran a large-scale internet fraud network from Cape Town.
Members allegedly used fake identities on social media, dating platforms and Voice over Internet Protocol phone lines to contact victims in the United States. Many victims believed they were in genuine romantic relationships.
The conspirators reportedly told stories of travelling to South Africa for work and then needing urgent financial help. A common narrative involved problems at a construction site or issues with a crane.
When victims hesitated, the group allegedly used pressure tactics, including threats to leak private and sensitive photos.
Prosecutors said the money was moved through US-based bank accounts belonging to victims or other individuals. In some cases, victims were persuaded to open new accounts that the defendants allegedly controlled. The group also allegedly laundered proceeds from business email compromise scams, using business entities to hide the source of the funds.
US authorities react
U.S. Attorney Frazer said the extradition proves distance is not protection. He stated that the defendants believed operating behind electronic devices thousands of miles away would keep them beyond the reach of American justice, and they were wrong.
FBI Newark Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy described Black Axe as a notoriously violent transnational group that funds its activities with romance scams. She said the FBI’s ability to reach into South Africa shows its resolve to hold fraudsters accountable. She also appealed to victims to come forward and report scams.
Special Agent in Charge Craig Marech of the U.S. Secret Service Newark Field Office said the case was the result of a years-long investigation. He said it demonstrates the power of international cooperation and sends a clear message that those who target Americans will be pursued anywhere in the world.
What penalties they face
The wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud counts each carry a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Money laundering conspiracy carries up to 20 years and a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved, whichever is greater.
The aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory two-year prison term that must run consecutively to any other sentence.
All charges remain allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Extradition and investigation
The five men were arrested in South Africa in 2021 following a request from the United States. They were extradited on September 11, 2026.
The investigation was led by special agents of the FBI Newark Division and the FBI Legal Attaché Office at the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, under Law Enforcement Attaché Mark F. Grimm, as well as the U.S. Secret Service Newark Field Office and its Criminal Investigative Division and Pretoria Resident Office.
Frazer thanked the South African Directorate of Priority Crime Investigations, known as the HAWKS, the South African Police Service, the South African National Prosecuting Authority and Asset Forfeiture Unit, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development of South Africa, and Interpol.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard G. Shephard of the Criminal Division in Trenton. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs assisted with the arrests and extradition.
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