The suspects, Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle, were extradited to the US on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, according to a statement issued by the EFCC.
The commission said the duo were identified in separate investigations conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) into alleged sextortion schemes targeting male minors, particularly boys aged between 13 and 17.
According to the EFCC, the cases involved the use of child sexual abuse material to blackmail victims and demand money through various channels, including money transfer services, gift cards and cryptocurrency.
The FBI investigations allegedly linked the suspects to two separate cases involving American minors who died by suicide after 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.
The suspect allegedly threatened to distribute the boy’s photographs to his Instagram contacts and demanded money from him.
The EFCC said communications reportedly continued even after the minor indicated that he intended to take his own life.
The FBI subsequently developed intelligence identifying individuals allegedly involved in the scheme and sought the assistance of the EFCC in identifying and investigating the perpetrators.
Following investigations by the commission, Adekunle was arrested and brought before the EFCC.
Olawale, meanwhile, was wanted in connection with a seven-count charge in the US, including 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 of child pornography.
The EFCC said it commenced extradition proceedings against Olawale at the Federal High Court in Lagos following a request from the FBI.
The application was initially refused by the Federal High Court on June 10, 2024, prompting the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to appeal the decision.
However, on July 7, 2026, the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, set aside the Federal High Court’s judgment, clearing the way for Olawale’s extradition to the US.
The EFCC said the extradition of Olawale and Adekunle highlights the continued cooperation between the commission and the FBI in tackling transnational financial and internet-enabled crimes, particularly those involving the exploitation of minors and sextortion.
0 Comments
DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed on this platform as comments were freely made by each person under his or her own volition or responsibility and were neither suggested nor dictated by the owners of News PLATFORM or any of their contracted staff. So we take no liability whatsoever for such comments.
Please take note!