Nigerian man sentenced to prison for sextortion scheme that led to teen’s death in U.S

A 25-year-old Nigerian man, Samuel Abiodun, has been sentenced to five years in a United States federal prison for his involvement in a tragic sextortion scheme that resulted in the death of a teenage victim.

According to a statement released on Wednesday by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, David Metcalf, Abiodun was sentenced on Tuesday following his conviction for his role in the online crime.

Abiodun was arrested in Nigeria in 2024, alongside his accomplice, Afeez Adewale, during a joint operation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Nigerian authorities. The duo was subsequently extradited to the U.S. in July 2024 to face trial.

Following his extradition, the duo were charged before a court in August 2024.

While Abiodun pleaded guilty to the offences of money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud related to the sexual extortion and death of a young man in December 2024, Aina pleaded guilty to cyberstalking, interstate threat to injure reputation, receiving proceeds of extortion, money laundering conspiracy, and wire fraud in May 2025.

Following their guilty pleas, Abiodun was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment by US District Judge Joel Slomsky on Tuesday, while Aina is scheduled for sentencing on August 11.

Metcalf added that their third accomplice, Afeez Adewale, who has yet to be extradited from Nigeria, has also been charged in absentia.

He stated, “Aina pleaded guilty last month to cyberstalking, interstate threat to injure reputation, receiving proceeds of extortion, money laundering conspiracy, and wire fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 11 and faces a statutory maximum of lifetime imprisonment.

“Adewale has been charged with money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud. He remains in Nigeria, pending extradition to the US.”

Speaking on the role Abiodun played in the conspiracy, Metcalf said, “As the financial middleman, Abiodun played a key role in this sextortion scheme, which thoroughly traumatised the victim and then devastated his family.”

He continued, “These scammers’ sole aim is to get money from scared and vulnerable young people, with absolutely no regard for their feelings or the potential fallout. In prosecuting this case, we are bringing to justice the men whose actions resulted in truly indelible harm.

“We also want to send a message to others like them that the Department of Justice’s reach is long, and if they keep extorting innocent Americans, they could find themselves in an American prison.”

He acknowledged the role of the Nigerian government in the extradition of Abiodun and Aina.

“The support and assistance of Nigerian security authorities was essential to this effort, notably that 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,” Metcalf concluded.