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By Gloria Ikibah

Two Nigerian nationals have been extradited from Nigeria to the United States to face charges over alleged financially motivated sextortion of minors in separate cases involving the deaths of teenagers in Mississippi and North Carolina.

The US Department of Justice said Adebola Festus Adekunle, 26, from Lagos, and Mudasiru Afeez Olawale, 24, were extradited on August 27 after they were arrested in Nigeria in August 2023 as part of a wider FBI operation targeting sexual extortionists allegedly preying on minors in the United States.

US Attorney General Todd Blanche said the arrests were part of efforts to dismantle international criminal networks involved in child sexual exploitation.

“The defendants were arrested in Nigeria as part of a wider operation with the FBI to apprehend sexual extortionists targeting minors in the United States.

“The Department of Justice and this Administration have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to protecting America’s children from exploitation and sexual abuse. We have strengthened our international law enforcement partnerships to dismantle the foreign criminal networks behind financially-motivated sextortion and identify and prosecute the perpetrators of child sexual exploitation who are directly linked to dozens of American teen deaths by suicide,” Blanche said.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the two men had been returned to the US after spending three years overseas.

“Two Nigerian subjects arrested in Nigeria in 2023 – Adebola Festus Adekunle and Mudasiru Afeez Olawale – have now been returned to the United States to face justice after allegedly participating in financially-motivated sextortion of minors – one resulting in the death of a child.

“Adekunle is charged with the sexual exploitation of a minor resulting in death, the production of child sexual abuse material, coercion and enticement of a minor, and interstate threats with intent to extort – and Olawale is charged with offenses relating to sexual exploitation of minors, coercion and enticement of minors, distribution of child pornography, and more.

“They’ve been overseas for three years, but this FBI and our DOJ partners went and got them. Sextortion is a heinous crime targeting innocent people, often young children – and this FBI will stop at nothing to pursue every single individual who harms vulnerable Americans,” Patel said.

Adekunle appeared before a federal court in Oxford, Mississippi, following his extradition. He faces charges relating to the alleged sextortion of a Mississippi minor, whose death is linked to the case.

The charges against him include sexual exploitation of a minor resulting in death, coercion and enticement of a minor, and interstate threats with intent to extort. If convicted, he faces a possible life sentence, while the charge involving the death of a child carries a minimum sentence of 30 years in prison.

US Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi, Scott Leary, said the investigation eventually led authorities to Nigeria.

“The evidence led agents to Nigeria. Undeterred, the FBI worked with DOJ’s Office of International Affairs for years, and eventually the defendant was extradited from Nigeria to face justice in the United States.

“We are thankful for the hard work of Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice. Working together, state, federal and international agencies brought us here today,” Leary said.

Olawale, who appeared before a federal court in Greensboro, North Carolina, faces charges relating to the alleged sextortion of two minors, including a case involving the death of one victim.

US Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina, Dan Bishop, said the authorities remained committed to pursuing those accused of sextortion regardless of how much time had passed.

“Today’s announcement makes clear that we will not rest in our pursuit of justice for victims of sextortion: Three years after the indictment, and almost five years since the conduct occurred, the defendant will finally appear in a U.S. court to face the charges against him.

“We are grateful to all the agents, attorneys, and others whose tenacity and steadfast pursuit of justice contributed to the defendant’s extradition,” Bishop said.

The extraditions were carried out with assistance from the US Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, FBI Legal Attaché in Abuja and FBI agents from Jackson and Greensboro, who travelled to Nigeria and took the suspects into US custody.

The US authorities also acknowledged the assistance of Nigerian security agencies, particularly the 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.

The Justice Department said the cases stemmed from Operation Artemis, an FBI operation targeting financially motivated sextortion networks operating from Nigeria.

Special Agent in Charge Robert A. Eikhoff of the FBI Jackson Field Office said the extradition demonstrated that international borders would not protect suspects from prosecution.

“Sextortion is a serious crime with devastating consequences. Its impact on victims and their families is profound and long-lasting.

“The extradition of Adekunle sends a clear and unmistakable message: crossing state lines does not erase criminal charges, and international borders do not shield individuals from accountability,” Eikhoff said.

The Justice Department stressed that all charges remain allegations and that both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.

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By Gloria Ikibah

The National Secretariat of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has mourned the death of Comrade Patrick Osadebamwen, a veteran journalist and former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory Council.

In a condolence message signed by the National Chairperson of NAWOJ, Aishatu Ibrahim, and National Secretary, Wasilah Ladan, the association described Osadebamwen’s death as a painful loss to the journalism profession and the wider media community.

NAWOJ said the late journalist devoted significant years of his life to journalism, unionism and the advancement of the welfare and interests of media professionals.

“Comrade Osadebamwen’s professional journey, which included service with reputable media organisations such as The Union Newspaper, Core TV, The Nigerian Tribune and Kaftan TV, as well as his leadership of the NUJ FCT Council, reflected his commitment to the journalism profession and the growth of the media community,” the statement read.

The women journalists said his death was particularly painful because journalism was more than a profession, describing it as a community united by a shared responsibility to inform society, defend truth and contribute to national development.

“For us in NAWOJ, his passing is particularly painful because the journalism profession is not merely a career; it is a community bound together by a shared commitment to informing society, defending truth and promoting a better nation.

“The death of every committed journalist therefore diminishes that community and leaves a void that will be difficult to fill,” it said.

NAWOJ extended its condolences to the NUJ FCT Council, Osadebamwen’s professional colleagues, friends and associates, with particular emphasis on his three children and the entire Osadebamwen family.

The association urged the bereaved family to draw strength from his contributions to journalism and the memories he left behind, while calling on members of the media community to stand by the family during the difficult period.

“At this moment of grief, we urge the bereaved family to take solace in the positive impact of his life and the memories he leaves behind.

“We also encourage our colleagues in the media community to stand firmly with the family and keep them in their prayers as they navigate this painful period,” NAWOJ said.

The association joined the NUJ and the wider Nigerian media community in mourning the former NUJ FCT chairman, and prayed for strength for his family and eternal rest for the deceased.

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By Gloria Ikibah

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council has held a memorial service in honour of its former chairman and veteran journalist, Comrade Patrick Osadebamwen, with a pledge to continue supporting his three children.

The memorial which was held on Monday evening, brought together journalists, friends and associates to remember Osadebamwen’s contributions to journalism and the NUJ.

Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, said the death of the former chairman was first and foremost a loss to his immediate family, but urged members to reflect on his years of service to the profession and the Union.

She also called on journalists to look out for one another and build genuine friendships despite disagreements and changes in leadership.

“Leadership within the NUJ comes with its own demands and challenges,” she said, adding that Patrick had “contributed to the affairs and development of the Union” during his time as chairman.

The council recalled Osadebamwen’s long career in journalism, during which he worked with Union Newspaper, Core TV, The Nigerian Tribune and Kaftan TV. He also served as chairman of the NUJ FCT Council.

Ike said the Union will continue to stand by the bereaved family, noting that it had remained engaged with them since news of his death and was particularly mindful of the three children he left behind.

She urged journalists to see the memorial as an opportunity to strengthen professional relationships and appreciate one another while they were still alive.

“Positions are temporary, professional engagements come and go, and ultimately, what remains is the impact we make on the people and institutions we encounter,” Ike said.

The FCT Council also expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, for their “prompt assistance” in evacuating Osadebamwen’s remains.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Iniedu, was also acknowledged for representing the IGP and conveying his condolences to the family and the NUJ.

President of the NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, represented by the National Secretary, Comrade Achike Chude, joined other speakers in paying tribute to the late journalist and former FCT chairman.

The NUJ FCT Council extended its condolences to Osadebamwen’s family, friends and associates, and prayed for strength for the family and eternal rest for the departed.