By Trendsetter Tribune 
PHILADELPHIA — The third and final defendant in a high-profile “sextortion” case that led to the tragic death of a suburban Philadelphia teenager has been extradited from Nigeria to the United States. Afeez Olatunji Adewale, 26, appeared in federal court in Philadelphia on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, to face charges of wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy.
His arrival marks the culmination of a multi-year international manhunt involving the FBI and the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The Case: A Fatal Trap
Adewale is the third individual brought to the U.S. in connection with a scheme that targeted a young man in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. According to federal prosecutors:
- The Tactic: The defendants reportedly posed as young women on social media, engaging victims in flirtatious conversations to lure them into sending explicit images.
- The Extortion: Once images were obtained, the group shifted to threats, demanding thousands of dollars and promising to leak the photos to the victims’ friends and families if they didn’t pay.
- The Tragedy: One of their victims, a young man from the Abington area, died by suicide following the relentless harassment and financial demands.
The Legal Timeline & Co-Defendants
While Adewale remained in Nigeria pending extradition, his co-conspirators have already been sentenced for their roles in the operation.
| Defendant | Role/Charges | Sentence (Judge Joel Slomsky) |
| Imoleayo Samuel Aina (aka “Alice Dave”) | “Driving force”; Cyberstalking, Extortion, Wire Fraud. | 6 Years (72 Months) (Oct 2025) |
| Samuel O. Abiodun | Money Laundering Conspiracy, Wire Fraud. | 5 Years (60 Months) (June 2025) |
| Afeez O. Adewale | Wire Fraud, Money Laundering Conspiracy. | Awaiting Trial (Extradited Feb 2026) |
Extradition Logistics
Adewale was arrested in Nigeria in August 2023 but remained in local custody as the legal process for his removal played out in the Nigerian courts. He was finally handed over to FBI agents and brought to the U.S. on Friday, February 13, 2026.
U.S. Attorney David Metcalf emphasized that the Department of Justice will “relentlessly pursue” those who exploit American youth from abroad. “As this case shows, we can—and we will—find, prosecute, and hold accountable these insidious sextortionists who terrorize people for money,” Metcalf stated following the extradition.
The Global “Sextortion” Surge
This case is part of a broader federal push to crack down on West African-based cyber-enabled crimes. It follows similar extraditions in South Carolina (the Gavin Guffey case) and Michigan (the Ogoshi brothers).
- Meta’s Response: In 2025, Meta (owner of Instagram and Facebook) reported removing over 63,000 accounts linked to Nigerian financial sextortion rings.
- FBI Warning: The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office has warned that these crimes often start and end in minutes, with the goal of causing maximum panic and immediate payment.
Help and Resources
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, help is available:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988.
- Online: Chat at 988lifeline.org.