Tinubu hails EFCC after FBI praises role in sextortion arrests

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 successful outcome of these cases would not have been possible without your assistance and dedication to international law enforcement collaboration,” he wrote.

In a statement shared on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Mr Tinubu praised the EFCC chairman and his team for their work.

“This is the kind of institutional performance we are determined to build across our country. I commend the EFCC Chairman and his team for their professionalism and dedication,” he said.

The president noted that his administration would support law enforcement agencies in pursuing offenders, regardless of where their crimes were committed.

“Nigeria must never become a haven for criminals who exploit innocent people, whether at home or abroad. Our law enforcement and anti-corruption institutions have my full support to pursue offenders and bring them to justice in accordance with the law,” he stated.

The EFCC said its 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 commission, 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 FBI subsequently identified individuals allegedly involved in the scheme and requested the EFCC’s assistance in investigating them for possible prosecution under Nigerian law.

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.

But EFCC stated that on 7 July, the Court of Appeal in Lagos set aside the ruling, 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. He appeared before a federal court in Greensboro, North Carolina, the following day.

The department credited Nigerian authorities, including the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Justice and the EFCC, with assisting in the extradition.

It said Operation Artemis involved FBI agents, analysts and forensic experts working with Nigerian and other international law enforcement agencies to tackle sextortion networks operating from Nigeria.

The department noted that the schemes had been linked to dozens of deaths by suicide among American teenagers.

Mr Olawale’s charges remain allegations. The US Department of Justice said he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.

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.

“Our fight against corruption is not measured by publicity but by results. Stronger institutions, effective law enforcement and international cooperation are essential to building a Nigeria where honest enterprise can thrive, and criminals are held accountable,” he noted.

He urged the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies to sustain their efforts, assuring them of his administration’s continued support in tackling financial crimes and protecting Nigerians.