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Nigerian National Extradited to U.S. Over Sexual Extortion and Related Death
On February 13, 2026, Afeez Olatunji Adewale, a 26-year-old Nigerian citizen, was extradited from Nigeria to the United States to face serious charges involving sexual extortion and the death of Jack Sullivan, a 20-year-old victim, in Pennsylvania’s Eastern District.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
Adewale has been formally indicted on counts of wire fraud and conspiracy to launder money. He made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lynne A. Sitarski in Philadelphia’s federal magistrate court on the afternoon of his arrival.
Background of Arrest and International Cooperation
The arrest of Adewale took place on August 17, 2023, in Nigeria, as part of a coordinated international crackdown led by the FBI targeting individuals involved in sexual extortion schemes against minors in the United States. His extradition was facilitated through close collaboration between the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, the FBI Legal Attaché in Abuja, and Nigerian law enforcement agencies.
Key Nigerian authorities instrumental in this operation included the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the International Criminal Justice Cooperation Department of the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Related Defendants and Sentencing Updates
Adewale’s alleged accomplices, Imoleayo Samuel Aina (also known as “Alice Dave”), 27, and Samuel Olasunkanmi Abiodun, 26, were extradited to the U.S. in August 2024. Both have since entered guilty pleas and received prison sentences.
In June 2025, Abiodun was sentenced to five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to launder money and wire fraud. Aina, who admitted to multiple offenses including cyberstalking, interstate threats, extortion proceeds receipt, money laundering conspiracy, and wire fraud, was sentenced to six years in October 2025 by U.S. District Judge Joel H. Slomsky.
Investigation and Prosecution
The investigation was spearheaded by the FBI’s Fort Washington Resident Agency in Philadelphia, in partnership with the Abington Township Police Department. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Brown.
It is important to note that all charges are allegations at this stage, and every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Context and Broader Impact
Sexual extortion, often referred to as “sextortion,” has seen a troubling rise globally, with the FBI reporting a 20% increase in related cases over the past two years. This case highlights the growing need for international cooperation in combating cyber-enabled crimes that exploit vulnerable populations, especially minors.
Similar operations have led to the arrest and prosecution of numerous offenders worldwide, emphasizing the commitment of law enforcement agencies to dismantle these criminal networks.
