The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has extradited two Nigerians to the United States to face prosecution over alleged online sexual exploitation and sextortion involving two American minors.
The suspects, Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle, were handed over to United States authorities on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, following investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) into separate cases involving the alleged exploitation and extortion of teenage boys.
According to the EFCC, the suspects were allegedly involved in schemes in which sexually explicit material involving minors was used to threaten victims and demand money through channels including money remitters, gift cards and cryptocurrency.
The commission said FBI investigations linked the suspects to separate cases involving American teenagers who later 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 was allegedly contacted through Instagram by an individual who proposed an exchange of intimate photographs.
According to the commission, the suspect subsequently used the material to threaten the teenager and demand money.
The investigation reportedly continued after the teenager expressed concerns about his safety, with subsequent FBI inquiries generating intelligence that identified individuals allegedly connected to the scheme.
Following a request for assistance from the United States, the EFCC commenced investigations in Nigeria and arrested Adekunle, who was subsequently brought before the commission.
Olawale, meanwhile, was wanted in connection with a seven-count charge filed in the United States over 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 the distribution or attempted distribution of child sexual abuse material.
His extradition initially encountered a legal setback after the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, rejected the application on June 10, 2024.
The EFCC had commenced extradition proceedings in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/353/2024 before Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa following a request from the FBI.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation appealed the decision. The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, subsequently set aside the Federal High Court judgment on July 7, 2026, in Appeal No. CA/LAG/CV/721/2024, paving the way for Olawale’s extradition.
With the two suspects now in U.S. custody, they are expected to face prosecution over the allegations contained in their respective cases.
The EFCC said the extraditions demonstrate the growing cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in tackling transnational financial crimes and internet-enabled offences, particularly cases involving the exploitation and extortion of minors.
The commission reiterated the importance of international collaboration in investigating online crimes that cross national borders and protecting vulnerable victims from digital exploitation.
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