Mudashiru Olawale and Adebola Adekunle were sent to the US after FBI investigations linked them to separate sextortion cases involving teenage boys who later died by suicide
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has extradited two Nigerian men, Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle, to the United States to face prosecution over separate allegations of online sexual exploitation and sextortion involving two teenage boys who later died by suicide.
Also read: EFCC probes N12bn NFF fund as Gusau quits
The EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 facilitated the extradition of Olawale and Adekunle on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, following investigations conducted in collaboration with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation.
In a statement published on its X account on Friday, August 28, the commission said the two men had been identified in separate FBI investigations into sextortion schemes targeting male minors, particularly boys aged between 13 and 17.
“Olawale and Adekunle had been identified in separate investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, in sextortion schemes targeting male minors, particularly those between the ages of 13 and 17, leading to the deaths of two minors,” the EFCC said.
The commission said the alleged schemes involved child sexual abuse material being used to pressure victims for money through channels including money remitters, gift cards and cryptocurrency.
The cases have drawn particular concern because of the alleged consequences for the victims, with the FBI linking the online exploitation and extortion to the deaths of two American minors.
In one case, the EFCC said a 13-year-old boy was contacted through Instagram by an individual who allegedly proposed an exchange of nude photographs.
The commission said the suspect subsequently threatened to distribute the boy’s photographs to his Instagram contacts and demanded money.
“Investigations by the FBI revealed that the subject subsequently threatened to disseminate the minor’s photographs to his Instagram contacts and demanded money from him,” the EFCC said.
According to the commission, investigators also found that communication with the boy allegedly continued even after he indicated that he intended to take his own life.
“It was further revealed that communications reportedly continued despite the minor indicating that he intended to take his own life,” the commission said.
The FBI subsequently developed what the EFCC described as “actionable intelligence” identifying individuals allegedly involved in the scheme and requested the Nigerian agency’s assistance in identifying, investigating and prosecuting them under applicable Nigerian laws.
Adekunle was subsequently arrested and brought before the EFCC as the investigation progressed.
Olawale’s case followed a separate extradition request from the FBI involving a seven-count US charge.
The charges include 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 alleged distribution of child sexual abuse material.
The EFCC said it initiated extradition proceedings against Olawale at the Federal High Court in Lagos in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/353/2024 before Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa.
The Federal High Court initially refused the extradition application during proceedings on June 10, 2024.
The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation subsequently appealed the decision, leading to a significant development in July 2026.
The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, on July 7, 2026, set aside the Federal High Court ruling in Appeal No. CA/LAG/CV/721/2024, clearing the way for Olawale’s extradition to the United States.
The EFCC said the extradition of both men demonstrated the growing cooperation between Nigerian and American authorities in pursuing internet-enabled crimes that cross national borders.
“The extradition of Olawale and Adekunle underscores the continued collaboration between the EFCC and the FBI in tackling transnational financial crimes, particularly internet-enabled crimes involving the exploitation of minors and sextortion,” the commission said.
The cases also highlight the increasingly serious nature of online sextortion, in which perpetrators allegedly obtain intimate images or material involving victims and then use threats of exposure to demand money or further sexual content.
For families and investigators dealing with such cases, the psychological pressure can be severe, particularly when minors are targeted and threatened with public exposure among friends, classmates or social-media contacts.
The EFCC and FBI cooperation reflects the difficulty of investigating such offences when alleged perpetrators and victims are located in different countries and payments can move through digital channels, gift cards and cryptocurrencies.
The two Nigerian suspects have now been transferred to the United States, where they are expected to face the allegations contained in the respective cases.
Also read: EFCC drops charges against BUK student
The allegations have not been proven in court, and the men remain entitled to due process as the US proceedings continue.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
