EFCC extradites two Nigerians wanted in US teen sextortion cases

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has extradited two Nigerians wanted by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, over alleged sextortion schemes linked to the deaths of two American teenagers.

The suspects, identified as Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle, were extradited to the United States on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, according to EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale.

Oyewale disclosed the development in a statement issued on Friday, saying the two men were extradited to face prosecution over allegations of sexually exploiting and extorting two teenage boys in separate cases in the US.

According to the commission, the FBI identified Olawale and Adekunle during separate investigations into sextortion networks targeting male minors, particularly teenagers between 13 and 17 years old.

The alleged schemes involved the use of Child Sexual Abuse Material to threaten victims and demand money through channels including money transfer services, gift cards and cryptocurrency.

“The FBI investigations linked the activities of the alleged perpetrators to two separate cases involving American minors, who died by suicide after being subjected to online sexual exploitation and extortion,” Oyewale said.

In one of the cases, the EFCC said a 13-year-old boy was contacted through Instagram by an individual who proposed an exchange of nude photographs.

The FBI investigation allegedly established that the suspect later threatened to distribute the boy’s photographs to his Instagram contacts unless he paid money.

Investigators reportedly continued monitoring the communications even after the teenager indicated that he intended to take his own life.

The FBI subsequently obtained intelligence identifying individuals allegedly connected to the scheme and approached the EFCC for assistance in identifying, investigating and prosecuting the suspects under relevant Nigerian laws.

Following the EFCC’s investigation, Adekunle was arrested and taken before the commission.

Olawale, meanwhile, was wanted in connection with a separate seven-count US charge, including allegations of 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 the distribution and attempted distribution of child pornography.

Following an extradition request from the FBI, the EFCC commenced proceedings against Olawale before the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/353/2024.

The case was heard before Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa.

The Federal High Court rejected the extradition application on June 10, 2024, after which the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation appealed the decision.

The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, subsequently overturned the Federal High Court ruling on July 7, 2026, in Appeal No. CA/LAG/CV/721/2024, clearing the way for Olawale’s extradition to the United States.

The EFCC said the extradition of the two suspects demonstrated the growing cooperation between Nigerian and US law enforcement authorities in combating transnational financial crimes and internet-enabled offences.

The commission particularly highlighted the joint efforts against online exploitation of minors and sextortion-related crimes.