EFCC extradites two Nigerians to US over sextortion of minors

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has extradited two Nigerian men, Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle, to the United States to face prosecution for the sexual exploitation and sextortion of two teenage boys. The men were identified in separate investigations by the FBI into schemes targeting male minors, aged between 13 and 17.

The schemes reportedly involved the use of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and financial demands, including money remitters, gift cards, and cryptocurrency. The victims, aged 13 and 14, were contacted through Instagram, where the suspects threatened to disseminate their nude photographs if they did not comply with the demands.

Despite one of the victims expressing intentions to take his own life, communications with him allegedly continued. The FBI subsequently provided the EFCC with actionable intelligence, leading to the arrest of Olawale and the filing of seven-count charges against him in the United States. After a legal battle, the Court of Appeal in Lagos set aside the Federal High Court's initial refusal to extradite Olawale, paving the way for his extradition.

The EFCC emphasized the collaboration between Nigerian and US law enforcement authorities in tackling internet-enabled crimes, particularly those involving the exploitation of minors and sextortion.