Two Nigerians extradited to US over alleged sextortion of minors
Two Nigerian nationals have been handed over to United States authorities to face separate criminal charges over alleged online sextortion schemes that targeted minors, including cases linked to the deaths of teenage victims.
Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle were extradited following a joint operation between Nigerian agencies and US law enforcement. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria's Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) all took part in the process.
Adekunle faces charges in Mississippi over teenager's death
Adebola Festus Adekunle has been extradited to face charges in the Northern District of Mississippi. Prosecutors there allege he ran a sextortion scheme involving a minor that resulted in the teenager's death.
The US Department of Justice said Adekunle faces charges including sexual exploitation of a minor resulting in death, production of child sexual abuse material, coercion and enticement of a minor, and interstate threats with intent to extort.
Prosecutors allege Adekunle targeted the victim online and used threats to release intimate images to demand money.
Olawale accused of targeting teenagers online
Mudashiru Afeez Olawale has been extradited to face charges in the Middle District of North Carolina. US authorities allege he took part in financially motivated sextortion schemes involving minors.
According to the DOJ, Olawale targeted teenagers online, obtained explicit images, and threatened to share them unless victims paid money.
The charges against him include sexual exploitation of minors, coercion and enticement, distribution of child sexual abuse material, and interstate threatening communications.
How the alleged schemes worked
The EFCC said investigations revealed the alleged offenders used online platforms to build relationships with victims before pressuring them after obtaining private images. The agency said victims were threatened with having the images shared with their families, friends, or online contacts if they failed to meet financial demands.
The FBI has previously warned about the growing threat of financially motivated sextortion, particularly against teenage boys. Perpetrators often use social media platforms to target victims.
Both Olawale and Adekunle were arrested in Nigeria in August 2023 during FBI-led operations targeting individuals accused of online exploitation. The extradition followed cooperation between Nigerian and US authorities as both countries continue efforts to tackle cyber-enabled crimes.
The charges against the two Nigerians are allegations, and they remain presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
According to Pulse.ng.
