EFCC Extradites Two Nigerians To US Over Alleged Sextortion Of Teenagers
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has extradited two Nigerian men to the United States to face prosecution over their alleged involvement in online sexual exploitation and sextortion of teenage boys.
The suspects, Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle, were extradited on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, 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, the suspects were allegedly involved in separate sextortion schemes targeting male minors aged between 13 and 17.
The Commission said the schemes allegedly involved the use of child sexual abuse material to threaten and extort victims through money remitters, gift cards and cryptocurrency.
The FBI investigation reportedly linked the suspects to separate cases involving American teenagers who died by suicide after allegedly being subjected to online sexual exploitation and extortion.
EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said one of the cases involved a 13-year-old boy who allegedly received an Instagram message from an individual proposing an exchange of nude photographs.
After obtaining the photographs, the individual allegedly threatened to share them with the boy’s Instagram contacts unless he paid money.
The FBI reportedly found that the communication continued even after the teenager indicated that he intended to take his own life.
The investigation later produced intelligence identifying individuals allegedly connected to the scheme, leading the FBI to seek assistance from the EFCC in identifying and investigating the suspects.
Adekunle was subsequently arrested and brought before the EFCC.
In a separate 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 distribution and attempted distribution of child pornography.
The EFCC commenced extradition proceedings against Olawale at the Federal High Court in Lagos in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/353/2024, before Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa.
The Federal High Court rejected the extradition application on June 10, 2024. However, 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, overturned the Federal High Court's judgment, paving the way for Olawale's extradition to the United States.
The EFCC said the extradition underscores the growing cooperation between Nigerian and American law-enforcement agencies in combating transnational financial and cyber-enabled crimes.
The Commission also stressed that its collaboration with the FBI was particularly important in tackling internet-related crimes involving the exploitation of minors and sextortion.
The suspects, Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle, were extradited on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, 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, the suspects were allegedly involved in separate sextortion schemes targeting male minors aged between 13 and 17.
The Commission said the schemes allegedly involved the use of child sexual abuse material to threaten and extort victims through money remitters, gift cards and cryptocurrency.
The FBI investigation reportedly linked the suspects to separate cases involving American teenagers who died by suicide after allegedly being subjected to online sexual exploitation and extortion.
EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said one of the cases involved a 13-year-old boy who allegedly received an Instagram message from an individual proposing an exchange of nude photographs.
After obtaining the photographs, the individual allegedly threatened to share them with the boy’s Instagram contacts unless he paid money.
The FBI reportedly found that the communication continued even after the teenager indicated that he intended to take his own life.
The investigation later produced intelligence identifying individuals allegedly connected to the scheme, leading the FBI to seek assistance from the EFCC in identifying and investigating the suspects.
Adekunle was subsequently arrested and brought before the EFCC.
In a separate 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 distribution and attempted distribution of child pornography.
The EFCC commenced extradition proceedings against Olawale at the Federal High Court in Lagos in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/353/2024, before Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa.
The Federal High Court rejected the extradition application on June 10, 2024. However, 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, overturned the Federal High Court's judgment, paving the way for Olawale's extradition to the United States.
The EFCC said the extradition underscores the growing cooperation between Nigerian and American law-enforcement agencies in combating transnational financial and cyber-enabled crimes.
The Commission also stressed that its collaboration with the FBI was particularly important in tackling internet-related crimes involving the exploitation of minors and sextortion.
