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 alleged online sexual exploitation and sextortion of minors.
The EFCC said the suspects were extradited on Wednesday, Aug. 26, following separate investigations by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
According to the commission, the suspects were identified in investigations into alleged sextortion schemes targeting male minors, particularly those between the ages of 13 and 17.
The EFCC said the alleged offences involved the use of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) to extort victims for money through money transfer services, gift cards and cryptocurrency.
The FBI investigations 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, the EFCC said a 13-year-old victim received a direct message on Instagram from an individual who allegedly suggested an exchange of nude photographs.
Investigations by the FBI reportedly showed that the individual subsequently threatened to distribute the minor’s photographs to his Instagram contacts and demanded money from him.
The commission said communication allegedly continued despite the minor indicating that he intended to take his own life.
The FBI subsequently developed intelligence identifying persons allegedly involved in the scheme and requested the EFCC’s assistance in identifying, investigating and prosecuting the suspects under applicable Nigerian laws.
Following investigations by the commission, Adekunle was arrested and prosecuted in connection with the matter.
In a separate case, 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 alleged distribution and attempted distribution of child sexual abuse material.
The EFCC said it initiated extradition proceedings against Olawale at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/353/2024, following a request by the FBI.
Although the Federal High Court initially refused the application on June 10, 2024, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation appealed the ruling.
The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, on July 7, 2026, in Appeal No. CA/LAG/CV/721/2024, set aside the earlier judgment, paving the way for Olawale’s extradition to the United States.
The EFCC said the extradition of the two suspects underscored the continued collaboration between the commission and the FBI in tackling transnational financial and internet-enabled crimes, particularly offences involving the alleged exploitation of minors and sextortion.
The suspects will face prosecution in the United States, where the allegations will be determined in accordance with applicable laws.
