The extradition of two Nigerians accused of sexually extorting two teenage boys in the United States, resulting in their deaths, has been facilitated following a landmark ruling by the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, said Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle were extradited to the United States on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, to face prosecution over allegations arising from separate sextortion investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The development followed a prolonged legal process, particularly in the case of Olawale, whose extradition was initially rejected by the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division.
The EFCC said the FBI investigations identified Olawale and Adekunle as allegedly involved in sextortion schemes targeting male minors, particularly boys aged between 13 and 17.
According to the commission, the schemes involved the use of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) to allegedly extort victims through money remitters, gift cards and cryptocurrency.
The FBI linked the 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 of the cases, the EFCC said a 13-year-old boy received a direct message on Instagram from a person who suggested an exchange of nude photographs.
The suspect allegedly threatened to distribute the boy’s photographs to his Instagram contacts and demanded money from him.
Investigators reportedly discovered that communications continued even after the boy indicated that he intended to take his own life.
The FBI subsequently developed intelligence identifying individuals allegedly involved in the scheme and sought the assistance of the EFCC in identifying and investigating the suspects and prosecuting them under applicable Nigerian laws.
The EFCC said Adekunle was subsequently arrested and brought before the commission.
In Olawale’s case, the FBI sought his extradition to the U.S. over a seven-count charge, including 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 distribution and attempted 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.
However, the Federal High Court, on June 10, 2024, refused the extradition application.
The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation subsequently appealed the decision.
The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, on July 7, 2026, in Appeal No. CA/LAG/CV/721/2024, set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court, thereby clearing the legal path for Olawale’s extradition to the United States.
The latest development culminated in the extradition of Olawale and Adekunle to the U.S. on Wednesday.
The EFCC said the extradition underscores the continued collaboration between the commission and the FBI in tackling transnational financial crimes, particularly internet-enabled crimes involving the exploitation of minors and sextortion.
