President Bola Tinubu has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its role in the extradition of two Nigerians accused of sexually exploiting and extorting teenage boys in the United States. The commendation followed a letter from FBI Director Kash Patel to EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, praising the commission's assistance in an investigation into criminal networks involved in financially motivated sextortion.
The investigation, known as Operation Artemis, led to the extradition of Mudasiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle to the US in August. In his letter, Mr Patel said the cooperation of the Nigerian agency was crucial to the outcome of the cases. The EFCC's Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 facilitated the extradition of both suspects on 26 August following separate FBI investigations into sextortion schemes targeting teenage boys.
According to the EFCC, the schemes targeted male minors, particularly those aged between 13 and 17. The suspects allegedly used intimate photographs to threaten victims and demand money through money transfer services, gift cards and cryptocurrency. The FBI linked the investigations to two separate cases involving American teenagers who died by suicide after being subjected to online sexual exploitation and extortion.
In one case, a 13-year-old boy allegedly received a message on Instagram from someone who proposed an exchange of nude photographs. The individual later threatened to share the boy's photographs with his Instagram contacts unless he paid money. The commission noted that the threats reportedly continued even after the boy indicated that he intended to take his own life.
The EFCC said the FBI sought Mr Olawale's extradition to face a seven-count indictment, including charges relating to the sexual exploitation of a minor resulting in death, enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity, threatening communications and distributing child sexual abuse material. The commission initiated extradition proceedings at the Federal High Court in Lagos in suit number FHC/L/CS/353/2024.
Trial judge Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa rejected the application on 10 June 2024, but the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation appealed the decision. The Court of Appeal in Lagos set aside the ruling on 7 July, paving the way for Mr Olawale's extradition. The US Department of Justice noted that Mr Olawale, 24, was indicted in August 2023 and extradited on 27 August.
Mr Tinubu's commendation comes after Nigeria was removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in October 2025 and the European Union's list of high-risk third countries in January. The president said the developments reflected his administration's efforts to strengthen the country's financial system and restore international confidence.
Key points
- President Bola Tinubu commends EFCC for role in sextortion arrests
- EFCC extradited two Nigerians accused of sexually exploiting teenage boys in the US
- Nigeria removed from FATF grey list and EU's high-risk countries list
