FBI investigations allegedly linked suspects to separate online schemes involving threats to release minors’ intimate images…..
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has extradited two Nigerian men to the United States following investigations into separate alleged online sextortion schemes involving teenage boys.
The suspects, Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle, were extradited on Wednesday following investigations conducted in collaboration with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
According to the EFCC, the investigations linked the two men to alleged schemes in which male minors in the US were reportedly lured into sharing nude images before being threatened with the distribution of the photographs unless they paid money.
In a statement issued on Friday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale said the alleged extortion involved payment methods including money remitters, gift cards and cryptocurrency.
One of the investigations centred on a 13-year-old boy who was allegedly contacted through Instagram and persuaded to exchange nude photographs.
The EFCC said the suspect subsequently threatened to send the boy’s images to his Instagram contacts unless money was paid.
The agency said the communications allegedly continued even after the boy indicated that he intended to take his own life.
The FBI subsequently developed intelligence on individuals allegedly connected to the sextortion network and sought the assistance of Nigerian authorities to identify and investigate suspects believed to be operating from the country.
The EFCC said Adekunle was arrested following the investigation and subsequently extradited to the United States.
Olawale’s extradition arose from a separate FBI investigation, according to the anti-graft agency.
The US authorities reportedly sought his extradition in connection with a seven-count indictment that includes allegations of 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 extradition process initially faced a legal setback in Nigeria.
The EFCC said proceedings against Olawale were instituted before the Federal High Court in Lagos in suit number FHC/L/CS/353/2024.
On June 10, 2024, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa reportedly declined the extradition request.
The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation subsequently appealed the decision.
More than two years later, the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos overturned the Federal High Court’s ruling.
According to the EFCC, the appellate court, in appeal number CA/LAG/CV/721/2024 delivered on July 7, 2026, set aside the earlier judgment, clearing the way for Olawale to be extradited to the United States.
EFCC, FBI deepen cooperation on internet crimes
The two suspects were extradited through the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 as part of ongoing cooperation between Nigerian and US authorities on transnational crimes.
The commission said the cases demonstrate the importance of international collaboration in investigating internet-enabled offences that cross national borders.
The EFCC also highlighted the growing cooperation between the commission and the FBI in tackling online crimes involving the alleged sexual exploitation and sextortion of minors.
Sextortion typically involves obtaining intimate images or other compromising material and then using threats to force victims to provide money, additional images or other demands.
The extraditions underscore the increasing focus by law enforcement agencies in both countries on online exploitation involving minors, particularly cases in which digital communication platforms are allegedly used to target vulnerable victims.
The suspects will now face the US legal process in connection with the allegations against them.
