Liberia seeks ex-leader's extradition

LAGOS - Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has asked Nigeria to extradite former Liberian head of state Charles Taylor, who is wanted for war crimes by an international court, an aide to Taylor said.

Taylor has been living in Nigeria since 2003 when he was offered asylum as part of a deal to end 14 years of civil war in Liberia. A special United Nations-backed court in Sierra Leone has ordered his arrest to face war crimes charges.

Aide Sylvester Paasewe did not say whether a Liberian letter requested Taylor be extradited to Liberia or to the tribunal in Sierra Leone.

Paasewe said the conditions of Taylor's asylum in Nigeria ruled out a trial for Taylor and he accused the United States of being behind the extradition request.

Johnson-Sirleaf is "acting from a vindictive political position. She wants his [Taylor's] head on a plate, I am sure, to the pleasure of the Americans."

The former warlord still has supporters at home and his ex-wife Jewel is an elected senator in Liberia's Congress.

- REUTERS