The Nigerian government has sent two Nigerians to the United States to face charges for allegedly exploiting and extorting two American teenagers online. The two teens later died by suicide.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced this in a statement from its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale. Mudashiru Olawale and Adebola Adekunle were extradited on Wednesday.
The extradition happened thanks to the collaboration between the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and the EFCC. They worked with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on this case.
The EFCC said the two men were identified through FBI investigations into sextortion schemes aimed at young boys, especially those aged 13 to 17.
"The schemes involved the use of Child Sexual Abuse Material, CSAM, to extort victims for money through various means, including money remitters, 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,” the statement read.
How the Alleged Sextortion Happened
The EFCC explained that in one case, a 13-year-old boy got a direct message on Instagram from someone who wanted to exchange nude pictures. This person later threatened to share the boy’s photos with his Instagram contacts unless he paid up.
“It was further revealed that communications reportedly continued despite the minor indicating that he intended to take his own life. The FBI subsequently developed actionable intelligence identifying individuals allegedly involved in the scheme and requested the assistance of the EFCC in identifying, investigating and prosecuting the perpetrators under applicable Nigerian laws,” the EFCC stated.
Mr. Adekunle was arrested and presented to the EFCC.
Olawale’s Extradition
The EFCC said the FBI also wanted Mr. Olawale extradited due to a seven-count charge concerning the alleged sexual exploitation of a minor.
The charges include sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor resulting in death, enticing a minor for sexual activity, interstate threatening communications, and distributing and attempting to distribute child pornography.
After the extradition request, the EFCC began proceedings against Mr. Olawale at the Federal High Court in Lagos. The case marked FHC/L/CS/353/2024 was heard before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa. However, the Federal High Court turned down the extradition request on June 10, 2024.
The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation then appealed the decision.
“Although the Judge refused the application during proceedings on June 10, 2024, the ruling was subsequently appealed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
“On July 7, 2026, the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, in Appeal No. CA/LAG/CV/721/2024, set aside the judgement of the Federal High Court, thereby paving the way for Olawale’s extradition to the U.S,” the statement added.
The EFCC stated that the extradition of the two suspects shows the ongoing cooperation between Nigeria and the United States to fight international financial and internet-related crimes. They emphasized the need to tackle online crimes that involve the exploitation of minors and sextortion.
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