EFCC extradites two to US over alleged child sextortion

The Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has facilitated the extradition of two Nigerians to the United States to face prosecution over alleged sexual exploitation and sextortion of two teenage boys.

The EFCC said Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle were extradited to the US on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, following separate investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) into sextortion schemes targeting male minors.

According to the commission, the alleged schemes targeted boys, particularly those aged between 13 and 17, and involved the use of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) to extort victims through money remitters, gift cards and cryptocurrency.

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

In one case, the EFCC said a 13-year-old boy received a direct message on Instagram from a suspect who proposed an exchange of nude photographs.

The suspect allegedly later threatened to distribute the minor’s photographs to his Instagram contacts and demanded money from him.

The investigation further revealed that communication allegedly continued even after the minor indicated that he intended to take his own life.

The FBI subsequently developed intelligence identifying individuals allegedly involved in the scheme and sought the assistance of the EFCC in identifying, investigating and prosecuting the suspects under applicable Nigerian laws.

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

Similarly, the FBI sought the extradition of Olawale over a seven-count charge, including 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 distribution and attempted distribution of child pornography.

The EFCC subsequently commenced extradition proceedings against Olawale at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/353/2024, before Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa, following the FBI’s request.

Although the Federal High Court refused the 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 Federal High Court judgment, paving the way for Olawale’s extradition to the United States.

The EFCC said the extradition of Olawale and Adekunle underscores the continued collaboration between the commission and the FBI in combating transnational crimes, particularly internet-enabled offences involving the exploitation of minors and sextortion.

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