The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has extradited two Nigerian men to the United States to face prosecution over alleged online sexual exploitation and sextortion of two American teenage boys who later died by suicide.
The EFCC said the extradition of Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle was facilitated by its Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
The suspects were identified during separate investigations by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) into sextortion schemes targeting male minors, particularly teenagers between 13 and 17 years old.
According to the EFCC, the schemes involved the alleged use of child sexual abuse material to blackmail victims and extort money through money remitters, gift cards and cryptocurrency.
The anti-graft commission said the FBI linked the activities of the suspects to two separate cases involving American minors who died by suicide after allegedly being subjected to online sexual exploitation and extortion.
In one of the cases, a 13-year-old boy reportedly received a direct message on Instagram from an individual who proposed exchanging nude photographs.
The FBI investigation allegedly established that the individual subsequently threatened to distribute the boy’s photographs to his Instagram contacts unless he paid money.
The EFCC said communications reportedly continued even after the teenager indicated that he intended to take his own life.
The FBI subsequently developed intelligence identifying individuals allegedly involved in the scheme and requested the EFCC’s assistance in identifying, investigating and prosecuting them under applicable Nigerian laws.
Following the EFCC investigation, Adekunle was arrested and brought before the Commission.
Olawale, meanwhile, was wanted in the U.S. over a seven-count indictment bordering on the 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 before the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, following a request by the FBI.
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The proceedings were filed in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/353/2024 before Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa.
Although the Federal High Court rejected the extradition application on June 10, 2024, the office of the Aatorney-grneral of the federation appealed the decision.
On July 7, 2026, the Court of Appeal, Lagos, 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 demonstrates the continued cooperation between the commission and the FBI in combating transnational financial crimes and internet-enabled offences, particularly crimes involving the sexual exploitation of minors and sextortion.
The suspects will now face prosecution in the United States over the allegations against them.
