A Nigerian terror suspect accused of trying to help al-Qaeda in Yemen appear before a United States federal courtroom on Friday.
Lawal Babafemi was accused of training with members of al-Qaeda in
the Arabian Peninsula and using his English skills to help publish the
terrorist magazine “Inspire.”
Judge John Gleason ordered Babafemi, also known as “Ayatollah Mustafa,” held without bail. No plea was entered, reports NBCnewyork.com.
Prosecutors said Babafemi is married with children in Nigeria and
helped al-Qaeda attempt to recruit people who speak English to engage in
acts of terror against Americans.
The FBI said Anwar al-Awlaki, the American cleric who became the
al-Qeada commander in the Arabian Peninsula and was killed in a US drone
strike, personally directed $9,000 be paid to Babafemi to assist in his
recruitment efforts.
Sitting silently at a defense table, Babafemi wore a blue and white
striped polo shirt as he listened to the hearing without the help of a
translator.
His attorney did not object to his being held without bail, but told
the judge Babafemi suffers from high blood pressure and asked that he
receive medication when he gets to the Metropolitan Detention Center.
Investigators said Babafemi was active with al-Qaeda operatives from
2010 to 2011 until he was arrested for crimes in Nigeria. He was then
turned over to FBI agents to be prosecuted for his alleged terrorist
activity.
“The defendant threw his efforts behind al-Qaeda in the Arabian
Peninsula’s media, recruitment, and weapons training campaigns in an
effort to strengthen the terrorist group’s grip on the region and extend
its reach throughout the world,” US Attorney Loretta Lynch said in a
statement.
His transfer to the United States comes amid increasing concerns
about the growing footprint of al-Qaeda affiliated organizations in
Africa.
Al-Qaeda in Yemen has tried to use an underwear bomb on an airliner
heading to Detroit and has hidden explosives in printers to try to bomb
cargo planes.
Credits: Punch News
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