Two Nigerians extradited to US over sextortion of minors

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has extradited two Nigerians to the United States to face prosecution over alleged 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 by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

According to a statement by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the suspects were allegedly involved in separate sextortion schemes targeting male minors, mostly aged between 13 and 17.

The agency said the schemes involved obtaining or using child sexual abuse material to threaten victims with the release of their intimate images unless they paid money through channels including gift cards, money remitters and cryptocurrency.

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

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

The suspect allegedly threatened to send the boy’s photographs to his Instagram contacts and demanded money from him. According to the agency, the communication continued even after the teenager indicated that he intended to take his own life.

The FBI subsequently traced individuals allegedly connected to the scheme and sought the EFCC’s assistance in identifying and investigating them under Nigerian law.

Adekunle was later arrested and brought before the EFCC in connection with the investigation.

Olawale, meanwhile, was wanted in the US on a seven-count charge bordering on the sexual exploitation and attempted exploitation of a minor resulting in death, enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, interstate threatening communications and distribution or attempted distribution of child pornography.

The EFCC said it commenced extradition proceedings against Olawale at the Federal High Court in Lagos following the FBI’s request.

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

On July 7, 2026, the Court of Appeal in Lagos overturned the Federal High Court’s ruling, clearing the way for Olawale’s extradition to the US.

The EFCC said the extradition of the two suspects demonstrates the growing cooperation between Nigerian and US authorities in tackling transnational crimes, particularly internet-enabled offences involving the sexual exploitation of minors and sextortion.