The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has facilitated the extradition of two Nigerian men to the United States to face prosecution over alleged online sexual exploitation and sextortion involving teenage boys.
The suspects, Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle, were extradited by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, following investigations by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
According to the EFCC, the duo were separately linked to sextortion schemes targeting male minors, particularly teenagers aged between 13 and 17. The investigations involved allegations that victims were threatened with the release of sexually explicit images unless they paid money through channels including gift cards, money remitters and cryptocurrency.
The FBI linked the suspects’ alleged activities to two separate cases involving American teenagers who died by suicide after being subjected to online sexual exploitation and extortion.
In one case, investigators alleged that a 13-year-old boy was contacted through Instagram and encouraged to exchange nude photographs. The suspect allegedly later threatened to share the images with the boy’s contacts while demanding money.
The EFCC said the FBI subsequently provided intelligence that assisted Nigerian authorities in identifying and investigating individuals allegedly connected to the schemes.
Olawale was also the subject of extradition proceedings at the Federal High Court in Lagos over a seven-count U.S. charge, including alleged sexual exploitation of a minor resulting in death, enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity and threatening communications.
The Federal High Court initially refused the extradition application in June 2024, but the decision was later overturned by the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, on July 7, 2026, clearing the way for his extradition.
The EFCC said the development highlights the continued cooperation between Nigerian and U.S. authorities in combating transnational and internet-enabled crimes, particularly offences involving the exploitation of minors.
