The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has facilitated the extradition of two Nigerians to the United States to face prosecution over their alleged involvement in online sextortion schemes targeting teenage boys.
The suspects, Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle, were extradited by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC following separate investigations by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The FBI reportedly linked the suspects to online sexual exploitation schemes involving male minors, particularly teenagers aged between 13 and 17. The investigations also connected the alleged schemes to the deaths of two American teenagers.
According to the EFCC, the suspects allegedly used Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) to threaten and extort victims, demanding money through channels including money remittance services, gift cards and cryptocurrency.
In one case, the FBI alleged that a 13-year-old boy received a direct message on Instagram from an individual who proposed an exchange of nude photographs.
After obtaining the minor’s photographs, the suspect allegedly threatened to send them to the boy’s Instagram contacts unless money was paid.
Investigators reportedly discovered that the communication continued even after the teenager indicated that he intended to take his own life. The minor later died by suicide.
Following the development, the FBI reportedly obtained intelligence identifying individuals allegedly connected to the scheme and sought the assistance of the EFCC to investigate and prosecute those within its jurisdiction.
Adekunle was subsequently arrested by the EFCC and brought before the Commission as investigations progressed.
Olawale was separately wanted in connection with a seven-count U.S. charge, including alleged sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor resulting in death, enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, interstate threatening communications and distribution of child pornography.
The EFCC subsequently commenced extradition proceedings against Olawale at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/353/2024, following the FBI’s request.
Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa initially refused the extradition application on June 10, 2024. The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation later appealed the decision.
However, on July 7, 2026, the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, in Appeal No. CA/LAG/CV/721/2024, overturned the Federal High Court’s judgment, clearing the way for Olawale’s extradition to the United States.
The EFCC said the extradition of the two suspects demonstrates the growing cooperation between Nigerian and U.S. law enforcement agencies in tackling transnational crimes.
The Commission said the collaboration is particularly important in combating internet-enabled crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children and online sextortion.
