The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, August 28, 2026, reported the extradition of Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle to the United States over alleged sextortion involving two teenage boys.
The EFCC said its Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 facilitated the extradition on Wednesday, August 26, following separate investigations by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
According to the commission, Olawale and Adekunle were identified in investigations into sextortion schemes targeting male minors, particularly those between 13 and 17 years old.
The schemes allegedly involved the use of child sexual abuse material to extort victims for money through channels including money remitters, gift cards and cryptocurrency.
The FBI linked the alleged activities of the two men to separate cases involving American minors who died following online sexual exploitation and extortion.
In one case, the FBI said a 13-year-old boy received a message on Instagram from a suspect who proposed an exchange of nude photographs and later threatened to distribute the images to the boy’s contacts while demanding money.
The investigation reportedly continued after the minor indicated he intended to take his own life.
The FBI subsequently developed intelligence identifying individuals allegedly involved in the scheme and requested the assistance of the EFCC in identifying, investigating and prosecuting the suspects under applicable Nigerian laws.
Following the investigation, Adekunle was arrested and brought before the EFCC.
In a separate case, the FBI sought Olawale’s extradition over a seven-count charge involving 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 the distribution of child sexual abuse material.
The EFCC commenced extradition proceedings against Olawale before the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/353/2024.
The case was heard before Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa following the FBI’s extradition request.
The Federal High Court refused the application on June 10, 2024, after which the Office of the attorney-general of the federation appealed the decision.
On Tuesday, July 7, 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 demonstrated continued cooperation between the commission and the FBI in combating transnational financial crimes and internet-enabled offences involving the exploitation of minors and sextortion.
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