Third Nigerian National Extradited to United States in Connection with Sextortion and Death of Young Man
In a significant development in an international criminal case, a 26-year-old Nigerian man, Afeez Olatunji Adewale, has been extradited from Nigeria to the United States. He faces serious charges related to the sexual extortion and subsequent death of a 20-year-old man, identified as Jack Sullivan, in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Charges and Court Appearance
United States Attorney David Metcalf announced the extradition in a press statement issued by the Department of Justice on February 18, 2026. Adewale is charged by indictment with wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy. Following his extradition, he appeared in federal magistrate court in Philadelphia before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lynne A. Sitarski on Wednesday afternoon.
Arrest and Extradition Details
Adewale was initially arrested in Nigeria on August 17, 2023, as part of a broader operation conducted in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This operation aimed to apprehend sexual extortionists who were targeting minors in the United States. His extradition to the United States occurred on Friday, February 13, 2026, facilitated by the Justice Department's Office of International Affairs, the FBI Legal Attaché in Abuja, and the FBI, which took him into custody upon arrival.
Cooperation with Nigerian Authorities
The press statement highlighted the crucial role played by Nigerian security authorities in this effort. It specifically acknowledged the support 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 (EFCC). Their assistance was described as essential to the successful extradition process.
Previous Extraditions and Sentencings
This case involves two other Nigerian co-defendants who were previously extradited to the United States. Imoleayo Samuel Aina, also known as "Alice Dave," aged 27, and Samuel Olasunkanmi Abiodun, aged 26, were extradited in August 2024. Abiodun pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud and was sentenced by United States District Judge Joel H. Slomsky in June 2025 to five years in prison. Aina later pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including cyberstalking, interstate threat to injure reputation, receiving proceeds of extortion, money laundering conspiracy, and wire fraud. He was sentenced by Judge Slomsky in October 2025 to six years in prison.
Investigation and Prosecution
The case was investigated by FBI Philadelphia's Fort Washington Resident Agency and the Abington Township Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Brown. The statement emphasized that the charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
This extradition marks a continued effort by U.S. and Nigerian authorities to combat international cybercrime and sexual extortion schemes, underscoring the importance of cross-border cooperation in addressing such serious offenses.
