Namibia delays U.S. magnate's extradition case

WINDHOEK (Reuters) - Fugitive U.S. millionaire Jacob "Kobi" Alexander on Wednesday won another delay in the hearing into his possible extradition from Namibia.

Alexander, a former chief executive of software maker Comverse Technology Inc, is fighting an extradition trial to face U.S. criminal charges relating to an alleged scheme to backdate millions of executive stock options at the company.

He has pledged to invest $14 million in business and charitable projects in Namibia, prompting critics to accuse him of buying influence.

Alexander, says he is innocent, blaming poor advice from his financial and legal advisers. He left the company after it said it was conducting a review of past stock options grants.

Magistrate Cosmos Endjala said Alexander would appear in court in the capital Windhoek on November 19, pending a legal challenge by his lawyers against the appointment of Magistrate Petrus Unengu, as presiding officer over the hearing, to be heard first by Namibia's High Court.

(Writing by Phakamisa Ndzamela)