The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has facilitated the extradition of two Nigerians, Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle, to the United States to face prosecution over allegations of online sexual exploitation and extortion of minors linked to the deaths of two teenage boys.
The Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC facilitated the extradition of the suspects on August 26, 2026, following separate investigations by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) into alleged sextortion schemes targeting male minors, particularly those between the ages of 13 and 17.
The alleged schemes involved the use of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) to extort victims for money through various channels, including money remitters, gift cards and cryptocurrency.
According to the investigations, the activities of the alleged perpetrators were linked 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 was said to have received a direct message on Instagram from an individual who proposed an exchange of nude photographs.
Investigations reportedly revealed that the individual later threatened to distribute the victim’s photographs to his Instagram contacts and demanded money from him.
The FBI further established that communication allegedly continued even after the minor indicated that he intended to take his own life.
The investigation subsequently generated actionable intelligence identifying 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 investigations by the Commission, Adekunle was arrested and subsequently processed for extradition to the United States.
In a separate case, the FBI also sought the extradition of Olawale over a seven-count charge bordering on the 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 alleged distribution and attempted distribution of child sexual abuse material.
The EFCC subsequently 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, following a request by the FBI.
Although the Federal High Court initially refused the extradition application on June 10, 2024, 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, set aside the judgment of the lower court, clearing the legal path for Olawale’s extradition to the United States.
The EFCC said the extradition of Olawale and Adekunle further underscores the growing collaboration between Nigerian and United States law enforcement authorities in tackling transnational crimes.
The cases also highlight intensified efforts by the EFCC and the FBI to combat internet-enabled crimes involving the exploitation of minors, online sextortion and other forms of cross-border criminal activity.
Both suspects are expected to face prosecution in the United States, where the allegations against them will be determined by the appropriate judicial authorities.
