Connect with us

News

Nigerian Man Pleads Guilty to U.S. Charges of Aiding Al Qaeda

Avatar photo

Published

 on

Lawal Olaniyi Babafemi Bella Naija

Lawal Olaniyi Babafemi

A 33-year-old Nigerian citizen, Lawal Olaniyi Babafemi, has pleaded guilty to U.S. charges of  giving material support to Al-Qaeda affiliates, and taking part in its media and recruitment campaigns.

Babafemi, also known as “Ayatollah Mustapha,” appeared before a federal judge in Brooklyn, New York, on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to ‘providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization,’ Reuters reports.

According to prosecutors, from  January 2010 and August 2011 the accused travelled from Nigeria to Yemen two times to have meetings with Al-Qaeda leaders in the Arabian Peninsula.

U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch, stated that “the defendant travelled to Yemen to put himself at the disposal of a violent terrorist organization that has repeatedly demonstrated its determination to inflict bodily and economic harm on the United States and its citizens.”

Babafemi faces a maximum of 30 years in prison if convicted. His sentencing will take place on August 27th.

Photo Credit: Vanguard

Advertisement

Star Features

css.php