The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has extradited two Nigerian men to the United States over their alleged involvement in the sexual exploitation and sextortion of two teenage boys who later died by suicide.
The suspects, Mudashiru Olawale and Adebola Adekunle, were extradited to the US on Wednesday by the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 following separate investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
According to a statement released by the commission on Friday, the suspects were identified during investigations into sextortion schemes targeting male minors, particularly boys aged between 13 and 17. The schemes allegedly involved the use of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) to extort victims through money remitters, gift cards and cryptocurrency.
The commission said FBI investigations linked the suspects to two separate cases involving American minors who died by suicide after allegedly being subjected to online sexual exploitation and extortion.
In one case, a 13-year-old boy reportedly received a direct message on Instagram from a suspect 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 the communication continued even after the minor indicated that he intended to take his own life.
Following the development, the FBI generated intelligence identifying individuals allegedly involved in the scheme and requested the EFCC’s assistance in identifying, investigating and prosecuting the suspects under applicable Nigerian laws.
Adekunle was subsequently arrested and brought before the EFCC following the investigation.
Olawale, meanwhile, was wanted in the US on a seven-count charge bordering on the 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 of child pornography.
The EFCC initiated extradition proceedings against Olawale at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/353/2024 before Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa, following a request from the FBI.
Although the Federal High Court refused the extradition application on June 10, 2024, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation appealed the decision.
On July 7, 2026, the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, in Appeal No. CA/LAG/CV/721/2024, set aside the Federal High Court’s judgment, paving the way for Olawale’s extradition to the United States.
The EFCC said the extradition of Olawale and Adekunle underscores its continued collaboration with the FBI in tackling transnational crimes, particularly internet-enabled offences involving the exploitation of minors and