The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has facilitated the extradition of two Nigerians to the United States to face prosecution over allegations linked to online child exploitation and sextortion.
The suspects, identified as Mudashiru Olawale and Adebola Adekunle, were extradited on Wednesday following investigations involving alleged internet-based schemes targeting teenage boys in the US.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja, saying the action followed collaboration between the Nigerian anti-graft agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
FBI investigations linked suspects to sextortion cases
According to the EFCC, separate FBI investigations identified the two men as allegedly involved in sextortion operations targeting male minors, particularly teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17.
The commission said the alleged schemes involved the use of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) to threaten victims and demand money through channels including money transfer platforms, gift cards and cryptocurrency.
The EFCC said the investigations were connected to two cases involving American teenagers who died by suicide after allegedly experiencing online sexual exploitation and extortion.
Details of alleged Instagram-based exploitation case
The commission said one investigation involved a 13-year-old boy who received a message through Instagram from an individual who allegedly encouraged him to exchange nude photographs.
According to the EFCC, investigators found that the suspect allegedly threatened to distribute the images to the victim’s social media contacts and demanded payment.
The agency said communication between the suspect and the victim reportedly continued even after the teenager indicated he was considering taking his own life.
The FBI later gathered intelligence that helped identify individuals allegedly connected to the scheme and requested assistance from Nigerian authorities.
Legal process leading to extradition
The EFCC said Adekunle was arrested following investigations initiated after the FBI request.
For Olawale, the commission explained that US authorities sought his extradition over multiple charges, including alleged sexual exploitation of minors, attempted exploitation resulting in death, enticement of minors into sexual activity and distribution of child sexual abuse materials.
The EFCC said extradition proceedings were initiated at the Federal High Court in Lagos in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/353/2024 before Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa.
The commission noted that the Federal High Court initially declined the extradition request on June 10, 2024, but the decision was later challenged by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
According to the EFCC, the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, in Appeal No. CA/LAG/CV/721/2024, overturned the earlier decision on July 7, 2026, allowing Olawale’s extradition to the United States.
Nigeria-US cooperation against cybercrime
The EFCC said the extradition demonstrates continued cooperation between Nigerian and American law enforcement agencies in combating transnational crimes.
The commission highlighted the importance of international collaboration in addressing online criminal activities involving financial fraud, digital exploitation and abuse of minors.
Background Information
Sextortion is a form of online exploitation where perpetrators threaten to release private or sensitive material unless victims provide money, additional images or other demands.
Law enforcement agencies globally have increased cooperation against digital crimes because offenders often operate across international borders.
Nigeria’s EFCC has expanded its cooperation with international agencies, including the FBI, to investigate cyber-enabled crimes involving financial fraud, identity theft and online exploitation.
