PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad Businessmen Ishwar Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson have until Thursday to convince the London-based Privy Council to halt their extradition to the United States to answer charges related to the redevelopment of the Piarco International Airport.

The two former financiers of the main opposition United National Congress, face a total of 95 fraud charges relating to the billion dollar project.

The Court of Appeal, by a 2-1 majority yesterday, dismissed their habeas corpus application, paving the way for their extradition.

On May 4, 2006, a grand jury in Florida returned an indictment against Galbaransingh, Ferguson and six others, in relation to corrupt practices concerning two packages for construction of the airport terminal building.

Months later, six Americans pleaded guilty before Judge Paul Huck, and were sentenced to terms between six months and six years. The case against Galbaransingh and Ferguson are still pending.

British Queens Counsel Geoffrey Robertson, who is representing the two men, said his clients had a right of appeal to the Privy Council.