The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has extradited two Nigerian men to the United States to face prosecution over alleged sexual exploitation and sextortion of two American teenage boys who later died by suicide.
The EFCC said its Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 facilitated the extradition of Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
In a statement on Friday, the commission said the suspects were separately identified by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation in sextortion schemes targeting male minors, particularly those aged 13 to 17.
According to the EFCC, the schemes involved obtaining child sexual abuse material and using it to extort victims through money transfers, gift cards and cryptocurrency.
The commission said one of the victims, a 13-year-old boy, was contacted through Instagram and allegedly persuaded to exchange nude photographs. The suspect reportedly threatened to distribute the images to the boy’s contacts unless he paid money.
The EFCC said communications allegedly continued even after the boy indicated that he intended to take his own life.
The FBI subsequently identified individuals allegedly connected to the scheme and sought the EFCC’s assistance in investigating and prosecuting them.
Olawale was separately wanted in the US on a seven-count charge involving alleged sexual exploitation and attempted exploitation of a minor resulting in death, enticement of a minor for sexual activity, threatening communications and distribution of child pornography.
The EFCC said it began extradition proceedings against Olawale at the Federal High Court in Lagos in 2024. Although the court initially rejected the application, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation appealed.
On July 7, 2026, the Court of Appeal in Lagos overturned the Federal High Court ruling, clearing the way for Olawale’s extradition.
The EFCC said the extradition of both men demonstrates continued cooperation between Nigerian and US law enforcement agencies in tackling transnational internet-enabled crimes, particularly the sexual exploitation and sextortion of minors.
The suspects have now been handed over to US authorities to face the allegations against them.