A 24-year-old Nigerian man, Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal, has been extradited to the United States to face charges related to the sextortion of a minor, a crime that allegedly led to the victim’s death.
Lawal, from Osun State, was flown to the US on Saturday following an agreement with the Nigerian government that he would not face the death penalty if convicted. On Monday, Lawal appeared in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, wearing an orange prison jumpsuit and shackles. He pleaded not guilty to charges including child exploitation resulting in death, and the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material.
The investigation began after 17-year-old Gavin Guffey took his own life in response to alleged harassment and extortion by Lawal. According to prosecutors, Lawal posed as a young woman on social media to trick the teen into sending intimate photos. He then allegedly used the images to blackmail the victim, threatening to leak them unless money was paid. Lawal is also accused of extending these threats to the victim’s family members.
The charge of child exploitation resulting in death carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in prison, with a possibility of life imprisonment. Lawal is being held without bail, and his next court hearing is scheduled for Monday. **Growing Concerns Over Sextortion Crimes**
This tragic case highlights the growing issue of sextortion, particularly targeting young and vulnerable individuals. Gavin’s case is one of many, with similar incidents reported worldwide. Last year, the parents of British teenager Murray Dowey, who died by suicide after being targeted in a sextortion scheme, issued an emotional appeal to Nigerian criminals to stop exploiting the vulnerable.
In September 2024, two Nigerian brothers were sentenced to over 17 years in prison in the US for their involvement in a sextortion scam targeting a 17-year-old. This marked the first successful prosecution of Nigerians for sextortion in the United States. **Efforts to Combat Sextortion in Nigeria** The Nigerian government has been under pressure to address cybercrime, including sextortion.
Instagram owner Meta has removed thousands of accounts in Nigeria associated with sextortion schemes. Uche Ifeanyi Henry, the director of Nigeria’s National Cyber Crime Centre, stated that the government has invested millions in a state-of-the-art cybercrime center to tackle the issue. Despite these efforts, cases like Gavin Guffey’s underscore the urgent need for stronger preventive measures and international cooperation to combat sextortion and bring perpetrators to justice.