Two Nigerian Nationals Extradited from Nigeria to the United States to Face Sextortion Charges in North Carolina and Mississippi

The Justice Department announced today that two Nigerian men have been extradited to the United States from Nigeria to face prosecution in two separate cases for the financially-motivated sextortion of minors that resulted in the death of teenagers in both the Northern District of Mississippi and the Middle District of North Carolina.

"The defendants were arrested in Nigeria as part of a wider operation with the FBI to apprehend sexual extortionists targeting minors in the United States," said Attorney General Todd Blanche. "The Department of Justice and this Administration have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to protecting America's children from exploitation and sexual abuse. We have strengthened our international law enforcement partnerships to dismantle the foreign criminal networks behind financially-motivated sextortion and identify and prosecute the perpetrators of child sexual exploitation who are directly linked to dozens of American teen deaths by suicide."

"Today's announcement represents two more high-value targets returned to the U.S. by this FBI through Foreign Transfers of Custody," said FBI Director Kash Patel. "Two Nigerian subjects arrested in Nigeria in 2023 - Adebola Festus Adekunle and Mudasiru Afeez Olawale - have now been returned to the United States to face justice after allegedly participating in financially-motivated sextortion of minors - one resulting in the death of a child. Adekunle is charged with the sexual exploitation of a minor resulting in death, the production of child sexual abuse material, coercion and enticement of a minor, and interstate threats with intent to extort - and Olawale is charged with offenses relating to sexual exploitation of minors, coercion and enticement of minors, distribution of child pornography, and more. They've been overseas for three years, but this FBI and our DOJ partners went and got them. Sextortion is a heinous crime targeting innocent people, often young children - and this FBI will stop at nothing to pursue every single individual who harms vulnerable Americans."

"Several weeks ago we announced an undercover operation dealing with child exploitation, which resulted in 70 arrests," said U.S. Attorney Scott Leary for the Northern District of Mississippi. "Unfortunately, here we are again in an unrelated child victimization case. This time a child died. The dedication involved in this case cannot be overstated. This tragedy was immediately investigated by the Mississippi Attorney General, the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office, the Starkville Police Department and the FBI. The evidence led agents to Nigeria. Undeterred, the FBI worked with DOJ's Office of International Affairs for years, and eventually the defendant was extradited from Nigeria to face justice in the United States. We are thankful for the hard work of Nigeria's Attorney General and Minister of Justice. Working together, state, federal and international agencies brought us here today."

"Today's announcement makes clear that we will not rest in our pursuit of justice for victims of sextortion: Three years after the indictment, and almost five years since the conduct occurred, the defendant will finally appear in a U.S. court to face the charges against him," said U.S. Attorney Dan Bishop for the Middle District of North Carolina. "We are grateful to all the agents, attorneys, and others whose tenacity and steadfast pursuit of justice contributed to the defendant's extradition."

"Financially motivated sextortion inflicts lasting harm on victims and their families," said Special Agent in Charge Reid Davis of the FBI Charlotte Field Office. "These schemes often begin with threats and manipulation, but their impact extends far deeper - causing emotional and psychological devastation. The extradition of this suspect proves the FBI's commitment to pursue those who exploit vulnerable individuals, wherever they may be, and ensures they are held accountable for the profound and lasting damage they cause."

"Sextortion is a serious crime with devastating consequences. Its impact on victims and their families is profound and long-lasting," said Special Agent in Charge Robert A. Eikhoff of the FBI Jackson Field Office. "The extradition of Adekunle sends a clear and unmistakable message: crossing state lines does not erase criminal charges, and international borders do not shield individuals from accountability."

Northern District of Mississippi Charges

Adebola Festus Adekunle, 26, of Lagos, Nigeria, has been extradited to the United States from Nigeria to face prosecution in an indictment for the financially motivated sextortion of a Mississippi minor, which lead to the victim's death.

Adekunle is charged with the sexual exploitation of a minor resulting in death, coercion and enticement of a minor, and interstate threats with intent to extort. He appeared in federal court in Oxford, Mississippi, for an initial appearance today.

Adekunle was arrested in Nigeria on Aug. 14, 2023, as part of a wider operation with the FBI to apprehend sexual extortionists targeting minors in the United States.

Adekunle faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and mandatory minimum prison sentences on at least two charges. The child exploitation resulting in death charge carries a minimum penalty of 30 years in prison.

The case is being investigated by the FBI Jackson Field Office, the FBI's Violent Crimes Against Children Section and International Operations Division, and the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Parker S. King for the Northern District of Mississippi is prosecuting the case.

Middle District of North Carolina Charges

Mudasiru Afeez Olawale, 24, of Nigeria, was extradited from Nigeria to the United States to face charges related to the financially motivated sextortion of one minor, and the financially motivated sextortion and death of another minor victim.

Olawale was charged by indictment in August 2023, with offenses relating to sexual exploitation of minors resulting in death, enticement of minors, interstate threatening communications, and distribution of child pornography. He appeared in federal court in Greensboro, North Carolina, before U.S. Magistrate Judge L. Patrick Auld today.

Olawale was arrested in Nigeria on Aug. 9, 2023, as part of a wider operation with the FBI to apprehend sexual extortionists targeting minors in the United States.

Olawale faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and mandatory minimum prison sentences on at least two charges. The child exploitation resulting in death charge carries a minimum penalty of 30 years in prison.

This case is being investigated by FBI Charlotte's Greensboro Resident Agency and the Surry County Sheriff's Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann Nee for the Middle District of North Carolina is prosecuting the case.

DOJ's Commitment to Detering Financially Motivated Sextortion

Both cases are a result of Operation Artemis, the FBI's surge against financially motivated sextortion rings operating from Nigeria. In coordination with domestic and international law for enforcement partners, the FBI deployed agents, analysts, and forensic experts to Nigeria to confront perpetrators of these deadly schemes - directly linked to dozens of American teen deaths by suicide. This same focused, multi-agency approach now drives a broader national effort to dismantle the foreign criminal networks behind sextortion and other predatory schemes. The U.S. Government's Financially Motivated Sextortion Campaign Team coordinates across agencies, prioritizes victims, and brings every available tool to bear in its fight to bring to justice those who prey on American families.

Adekunle and Olawale were extradited to the United States on Aug. 27, with the assistance of the Justice Department's Office of International Affairs, the FBI Legal Attaché in Abuja, and FBI agents from both the Jackson and Greensboro Resident Agencies, who traveled to Nigeria and took them into U.S. custody. The support and assistance of Nigerian security authorities was essential to this effort, notably that of Nigeria's Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Federal Ministry of Justice's International Criminal Justice Cooperation Department, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and that defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

If someone you know is being victimized by sextortion, please report to local law enforcement and to the FBI. Learn more about sextortion and find resources for parents, caregivers, and teachers.