Nigerian Man Gets Five Years in US Prison for Sextortion Linked to Teen's Death

US Court Sentences Nigerian in Teen Sextortion Case

A United States court has sentenced a 27-year-old Nigerian, Afeez Olatunji Adewale, to five years’ imprisonment for his role in a sextortion scheme that led to the death of an American teenager. [4] The sentence was handed down on Friday by the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania after Adewale pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud. [4] United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Afeez Olatunji Adewale, 27, of Nigeria was sentenced today by United States District Judge Joel Slomsky to 60 months in prison and three years of supervised release for money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud related to the sexual extortion and death of a young man in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. [4]

Details of the Investigation and Extradition

Adewale was arrested in Nigeria on August 17, 2023, during a joint operation involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation targeting sexual extortion suspects preying on victims in the United States. [4] Adewale was extradited to the US in February 2026 with the assistance of the US authorities and the Nigerian government. [4] Following his extradition, Adewale was arraigned and subsequently pleaded guilty in April this year. [4] The sentence demonstrates that offenders cannot escape justice by operating outside the United States. [4]

Co-Defendants Also Convicted

Adewale was the last of three Nigerian suspects convicted in connection with the sextortion case. [4] His co-defendant, Samuel Abiodun, pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud and was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment in June 2025. [4] Another accomplice, Imoleayo Aina, also known as “Alice Dave,” pleaded guilty to cyberstalking, interstate threat to injure reputation, receiving proceeds of extortion, money laundering conspiracy, and wire fraud, and was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment in October 2025. [4]

Law Enforcement Reactions

Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Philadelphia, Wayne A. Jacobs, said the sentence demonstrates that offenders cannot escape justice by operating outside the United States. [4] “Today’s sentencing illustrates criminals cannot evade justice, even outside of our borders,” Jacobs said. [4] “This final sentencing is the result of diligent investigative work and close coordination with our domestic and international law enforcement partners. [4] This case is a testament to the FBI’s unwavering commitment to pursuing those who exploit others online, regardless of where they operate. [4] Most importantly, today’s sentence represents our continued commitment to seeking justice for victims and their loved ones. [4] Let today’s sentencing send a clear message: alongside our partners here and abroad, the FBI remains committed to identifying, locating, and bringing to justice those who prey on our communities.” [4] Also reacting, the chief of the Abington Township Police Department, Patrick Molloy, praised the collaboration between local and federal authorities. [4] “We are grateful for the federal agents and prosecutors who worked so hard to bring those responsible for this heinous crime to justice. [4] This could have been anyone’s child, and while this prosecution may provide some measure of relief, the pain and suffering for this family will never go away,” Molloy said. [4] “I hope that their arrests, extradition, and prosecution make clear that the DOJ will go after those terrorising our young people — no matter where the scammers and sextortionists may be. [4] Though this case is now closed, our thoughts will remain with a family and community forever changed,” Metcalf noted. [4]

Separate Crime Incidents Reported Worldwide

Three men charged with aggravated robbery after Eden Tce liquor store hold-up. [1] The trio, aged 33, 40 and 46, will appear in court today on aggravated robbery charges. [1] Some people suspected to be hoodlums reportedly stormed a ward collation centre located at Oyinlola DC School, Okuku, Osun State, where officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission were distributing Permanent Voters Cards, and carted away some of the items. [2] The incident, which occurred on Sunday, was learnt to have disrupted the exercise, as those at the scene reportedly ran in different directions. [2] A resident of Okuku, identified simply as Gbadebo, told our correspondent that the perpetrators entered the premises without drawing the attention of people around and shot into the air as they made for some packs of PVCs placed close to the chairs of the INEC staff members attending to those waiting to collect their cards. [2] “The incident occurred at Oyinlola DC School, Ward 2, Okuku, Osun State, on Sunday. [2] Some of us were around to collect our PVCs, and I can’t say when those hoodlums got into the premises. [2] They shot into the air and disrupted the exercise. [2] Some of us around fled in different directions, and they went straight to where those INEC staff put the PVCs and made away with some packs. [2] The hoodlums involved are about eight in number,” Gbadebo said. [2] Confirming the incident in a statement, Osun Police Command Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Gotan, condemned the act. [2] Ojelabi also said that Gotan had directed a comprehensive investigation with a view to identifying, arresting, and prosecuting those involved. [2] “Some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Osun State, who were peacefully distributing Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) at Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, were attacked by about 10 armed thugs. [2] The hoodlums reportedly fired sporadically into the air and carted away with three packs of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). [2] The Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, has condemned the incident in its entirety and has directed a comprehensive investigation with a view to identifying, arresting, and prosecuting all those responsible. [2] The command reiterates its unwavering commitment to professionalism and strict adherence to the rule of law in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities. [2] Members of the public are urged to remain calm, law-abiding, and refrain from any action capable of causing further breach of the peace,” Ojelabi said. [2] He appealed to residents and eyewitnesses with credible information that may assist police investigation to promptly report to the nearest police station or contact the Command through its emergency lines. [2] Tonga prison escape: Tongan-Kiwi escapee found after almost a week on the run. [3] The 34yo was one of three men who escaped Tonga's main police station in Nuku'alofa. [3] Suspected gunmen have abducted a judge of the Kebbi State High Court, Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza, from his residence in the Bunza Local Government Area of the state. [5] The incident, which occurred around midnight on Sunday, has triggered a coordinated rescue operation by security agencies as efforts intensify to secure the judge’s release. [5] A family source told journalists that Justice Bunza had returned home from Sokoto State shortly before the armed men invaded his residence along Zogirma Road and took him away. [5] The source said the attackers stormed the house while shouting, which alerted residents in the area, but they succeeded in abducting the judge without causing physical harm to other occupants or neighbours. [5] “Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza had just returned from Sokoto. [5] Shortly after he arrived at his residence around midnight, armed men invaded the house and abducted him. [5] They were shouting during the operation, attracting the attention of people around, but they left with him before anyone could intervene,” the source said. [5] The matter was immediately reported to the relevant authorities, including the management of the Kebbi State High Court. [5] The family has appealed to security agencies and the state government to intensify efforts to rescue the judge safely. [5] “We are deeply worried about the abduction of our brother. [5] We appeal to Nigerians to pray for his safe return and urge security agencies to act swiftly,” the source added. [5] A senior official of the Kebbi State High Court, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident, describing it as a disturbing setback for the judiciary. [5] The official said the court management had already begun consultations with security agencies to coordinate efforts toward securing Justice Bunza’s release. [5] “It is indeed a painful moment for the judiciary. [5] We have engaged the heads of security agencies in the state to strategise on securing his immediate release,” the official said. [5] Confirming the abduction, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kebbi State Command, SP Bashir Usman, said the Commissioner of Police, Umar Hadejia, had deployed tactical and intelligence teams to rescue the judge. [5] “I can confirm that Hon. Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza was abducted from his residence in Bunza around midnight. [5] Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police immediately deployed tactical and intelligence operatives to ensure his safe rescue,” Usman said. [5] He added that security operatives had commenced a coordinated manhunt for the perpetrators, with teams combing suspected hideouts and surrounding forest areas. [5] The police spokesperson assured residents that the command was working with other security agencies to rescue the judge unharmed and bring the abductors to justice. [5] No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction as of the time of filing this report, while investigations into the incident continue. [5]

What to watch next: Police in Osun State continue efforts to identify and arrest those involved in the PVC theft while Kebbi authorities maintain a manhunt for the judge’s abductors.