EFCC Extradites 2 Nigerians To US Over Alleged Sextortion

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has facilitated the extradition of two Nigerians to the United States to face prosecution over alleged involvement in online sexual exploitation and sextortion of teenage boys.

The suspects, Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle, were extradited on Wednesday by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC following investigations conducted in collaboration with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

According to the EFCC, both were allegedly involved in separate sextortion schemes targeting male minors, particularly teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17.

The commission said the cases involved the alleged use of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) to threaten and extort victims for money through channels including money remitters, gift cards and cryptocurrency.

FBI investigations reportedly linked the two suspects to separate cases involving American teenagers who died by suicide after allegedly being subjected to online sexual exploitation and extortion.

EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale said in one case, the EFCC said a 13-year-old boy received a direct message on Instagram from an individual who suggested an exchange of nude photographs.
After the photographs were obtained, the individual allegedly threatened to distribute them to the boy’s Instagram contacts unless he paid money.

The FBI reportedly discovered that the communications continued even after the teenager indicated that he intended to take his own life.

The investigation subsequently generated intelligence that identified individuals allegedly connected to the scheme, prompting the FBI to seek the assistance of the EFCC in identifying, investigating and prosecuting the suspects under applicable Nigerian laws.

Following the investigation, Adekunle was arrested and brought before the EFCC.

In a related case, the FBI sought the extradition of Olawale over a seven-count charge filed in the United States.

The charges include 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 on June 10, 2024, refused the extradition application. However, the ruling was appealed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

On July 7, 2026, the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, in Appeal No. CA/LAG/CV/721/2024, set aside the Federal High Court judgment, clearing the way for Olawale’s extradition to the United States.

The EFCC said the extradition of the two suspects highlights the growing cooperation between Nigerian and American law-enforcement agencies in tackling transnational financial and cyber-enabled crimes.

The Commission stressed that the collaboration with the FBI was particularly important in addressing internet-related crimes involving the exploitation of minors and sextortion.