Two Nigerian men, Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle, have been extradited to the United States by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to face prosecution over alleged online sexual exploitation and sextortion of two teenage boys.
The EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 facilitated the extradition of the two men on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, following investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) into separate sextortion schemes targeting male minors, particularly teenagers aged between 13 and 17.
EFCC disclosed that the alleged schemes involved the use of child sexual abuse material to blackmail victims and demand money through money remitters, gift cards and cryptocurrency.
The FBI linked the suspects 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 allegedly contacted through Instagram and persuaded to exchange nude photographs.
The suspect allegedly threatened to distribute the photographs to the victim’s Instagram contacts and demanded money.
The FBI investigation reportedly uncovered continued communication with the victim even after he indicated that he intended to take his own life.
Following the development, the FBI sought the assistance of the EFCC to identify and investigate those allegedly involved in the scheme and prosecute them under applicable Nigerian laws.
Adekunle was subsequently arrested and brought before the Commission.
Olawale faced a seven-count charge in the United States, including alleged 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 distribution of child sexual abuse material.
EFCC 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 a request from the FBI.
Although the Federal High Court 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 Federal High Court judgment, clearing the way for Olawale’s extradition to the United States.
The EFCC said the extradition further demonstrates the growing collaboration between the Commission and the FBI in combating transnational financial and internet-enabled crimes, particularly offences involving the exploitation of minors and sextortion.
