A Nigerian terror suspect, Lawal Babafemi also known as ‘Ayatollah
Mustafa’ has been accused of trying to help al-Qaeda in Yemen. He appeared
before a United States federal courtroom on Friday.
The Nigerian suspect 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 to be held without bail.
No plea was entered, reports NBCnewyork.com.
Babafemi is married with children in Nigeria but has since
been helping al-Qaeda in their 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 to 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.
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