EFCC EXTRADITES 2 NIGERIANS TO US OVER ALLEGED EXTORTION OF TEENAGE BOYS
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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has sent two Nigerian citizens to the United States to be charged with allegations of online sexual exploitation and sextortion. These actions are linked to the deaths by suicide of two teenage boys.
The EFCC stated that its Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 helped arrange the transfer of Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle to the US on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
According to the commission, the duo were identified in separate investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) into sextortion schemes targeting male minors, particularly boys aged between 13 and 17.
The investigations allegedly uncovered the use of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) to blackmail victims for money through methods including money remitters, gift cards and cryptocurrency.
The FBI linked the suspects’ alleged activities to two separate cases involving American minors who died by suicide after being subjected to online sexual exploitation and extortion.
In one case, a 13-year-old boy reportedly received a direct message on Instagram from a person who suggested exchanging nude photographs.
The FBI’s investigation found that the individual allegedly threatened to share the boy’s photographs with his Instagram contacts and demanded money from him.
The commission said communications reportedly continued even after the boy indicated that he intended to take his own life.
The FBI subsequently developed intelligence identifying individuals allegedly involved in the scheme and sought the assistance of the EFCC to identify, investigate and prosecute the suspects under applicable Nigerian laws.
Following the investigation, Adekunle was arrested and brought before the EFCC.
The FBI also sought the extradition of Olawale over a seven-count charge, including alleged sexual
exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor resulting in death, enticement and attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, interstate threatening communications, and the distribution and attempted 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, before Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa.
The Federal High Court had refused the extradition application on June 10, 2024, but the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation appealed the decision.
On July 7, 2026, the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, in Appeal No. CA/LAG/CV/721/2024, set aside the Federal High Court’s judgment, paving the way for Olawale’s extradition to the US.
The EFCC said the extradition of Olawale and Adekunle highlights the continued cooperation between the commission and the FBI in tackling transnational financial crimes, particularly internet-enabled offences involving the exploitation of minors and sextortion.
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