U.S. Extradites Two Nigerians for Sextortion Crimes

On August 28, 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the extradition of two Nigerian nationals, Adebola Festus Adekunle, 26, and Mudasiru Afeez Olawale, 24, who were arrested in Nigeria in August 2023 as part of Operation Artemis.

This FBI-led operation targets sextortion rings operating from Nigeria. Both men are facing separate federal cases in Mississippi and North Carolina, involving allegations of sexual exploitation and extortion of minors, with some cases linked to the deaths of teenagers by suicide.

Adekunle is charged with 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. Olawale faces similar charges.

Both could face life imprisonment, with a mandatory minimum of 30 years for the sexual exploitation resulting in death charges. The extradition underscores the cooperation between U.S. and Nigerian law enforcement in combating sextortion.