The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has extradited two Nigerian men to the United States to face prosecution over alleged online sexual exploitation and sextortion involving two teenage boys.
The EFCC said Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle were extradited on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the commission.
According to the EFCC, the two men were identified in separate investigations conducted by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) into sextortion schemes targeting male minors, particularly boys between the ages of 13 and 17.
The commission said the alleged schemes involved the use of child sexual abuse material to blackmail victims and demand money through channels including money remitters, gift cards and cryptocurrency.
The FBI investigations reportedly linked the suspects to two separate cases involving American teenagers who died by suicide after allegedly being subjected to online sexual exploitation and extortion.
In one case, the EFCC said a 13-year-old boy was contacted through Instagram by a person who proposed an exchange of nude photographs. The suspect allegedly later threatened to distribute the boy’s photographs to his Instagram contacts unless he paid money.
The EFCC said communications reportedly continued even after the teenager indicated that he intended to take his own life.
Following the FBI’s investigation, Nigerian authorities were asked to assist in identifying and investigating individuals allegedly involved in the scheme.
Adekunle was subsequently arrested and brought before the EFCC.
Olawale, meanwhile, faced a seven-count U.S. charge that included 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 or attempted distribution of child pornography.
The EFCC initiated extradition proceedings against Olawale before the Federal High Court in Lagos in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/353/2024.
Although the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa, 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 in Lagos, in Appeal No. CA/LAG/CV/721/2024, set aside the Federal High Court’s judgment, clearing the way for Olawale’s extradition to the United States.
The EFCC said the extradition of the two suspects highlights the growing collaboration between Nigerian and U.S. authorities in tackling transnational internet-enabled crimes, particularly the online exploitation of minors and sextortion.
