The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has facilitated the extradition of two Nigerians to the United States to face prosecution over alleged child exploitation and sextortion involving teenage boys.

The suspects, Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle, were extradited to the United States on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC.

The Commission said the duo were identified in separate investigations by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over alleged sextortion schemes targeting male minors, particularly boys between the ages of 13 and 17.

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According to the EFCC, the alleged schemes involved the use of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) to blackmail victims and demand money through channels including money remitters, gift cards and cryptocurrency.

The FBI investigations reportedly linked the alleged activities of 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, the EFCC said a 13-year-old boy received a direct message on Instagram from an individual who proposed an exchange of nude photographs.

The FBI investigation reportedly found that the individual subsequently threatened to distribute the minor’s photographs to his Instagram contacts unless money was paid.

The communication allegedly continued even after the teenager indicated that he intended to take his own life, according to the EFCC.

The FBI subsequently developed intelligence that identified individuals allegedly involved in the sextortion scheme and sought the assistance of the EFCC in identifying, investigating and prosecuting the suspects under applicable Nigerian laws.

Following the investigation, Adekunle was arrested and brought before the EFCC.

In a separate case, the FBI sought the extradition of Olawale over a seven-count charge relating to the alleged sexual exploitation of a minor resulting in death, attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, interstate threatening communications and the alleged distribution of child pornography.

The EFCC subsequently commenced 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.

The Federal High Court had rejected the extradition application on June 10, 2024. However, 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, clearing the way for Olawale’s extradition to the United States.

The EFCC said the extradition of Olawale and Adekunle demonstrates the continued cooperation between the commission and the FBI in tackling transnational crimes, particularly internet-enabled offences involving the exploitation of minors and sextortion.

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