The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has facilitated the extradition of two Nigerian men, Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle, to the United States to face prosecution over alleged online sexual exploitation and sextortion of two teenage boys.
The Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC said the extradition took place on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, following separate investigations conducted by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) into sextortion schemes allegedly targeting male minors in the U.S.
According to the Commission, the victims, aged between 13 and 17, were allegedly subjected to online sexual exploitation and extortion, with the schemes ultimately linked to the deaths of two teenage boys.
The alleged perpetrators reportedly used Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) to blackmail their victims and demand money through various channels, including money remittance services, gift cards and cryptocurrency.
The FBI investigations identified the activities of Olawale and Adekunle in connection with 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 boy received a direct message on Instagram from an individual who proposed an exchange of nude photographs.
Investigators subsequently found that the individual allegedly threatened to distribute the teenager’s photographs to his Instagram contacts unless he paid money.
The communications reportedly continued even after the minor indicated that he intended to take his own life.
Following the development, the FBI generated actionable intelligence identifying individuals allegedly involved in the sextortion scheme and sought the assistance of the EFCC to identify, investigate and prosecute the suspects under applicable Nigerian laws.
The EFCC subsequently arrested Adekunle and brought him before the Commission as part of the investigation.
In a separate case, the FBI sought the extradition of Olawale over a seven-count charge relating to the alleged sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor resulting in death.
The charges also include alleged enticement and attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, interstate threatening communications, sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, as well as distribution and attempted distribution of child pornography.
Following the U.S. request, 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. Although the Federal High Court rejected the extradition application on June 10, 2024, the decision was subsequently challenged by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
On July 7, 2026, the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, in Appeal No. CA/LAG/CV/721/2024, set aside the Federal High Court’s judgment, clearing the legal pathway for Olawale’s extradition to the United States.
The EFCC said the extradition of Olawale and Adekunle demonstrates the growing cooperation between Nigerian and U.S. law enforcement agencies in tackling transnational crimes, particularly internet-enabled offences involving the sexual exploitation of minors and sextortion.
The Commission added that the collaboration underscores the commitment of both countries to pursuing individuals allegedly involved in cross-border cyber-enabled crimes and bringing them before the appropriate authorities for prosecution.