A 24-year-old Nigerian, Abolore Lawal, from Osun State, faces the possibility of life imprisonment after being extradited to the United States over allegations of sextortion and blackmail that allegedly led to a teenager’s suicide.
According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Lawal was extradited last Friday with assistance from Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Lawal is accused of posing as a young woman on social media to lure 17-year-old Gavin Guffey from Rock Hill, South Carolina, into sending explicit photos. After obtaining the images, he allegedly blackmailed the teenager by threatening to release them unless he paid money. Lawal reportedly extended his harassment to the victim’s family, coercing them for additional payments.
The case came to light after Guffey died by suicide in July 2022, allegedly due to Lawal’s actions.
Lawal now faces a five-count federal indictment, including child exploitation resulting in death, production and distribution of child sexual abuse material, coercion and enticement of a minor, cyberstalking resulting in death, and interstate threats with intent to extort.
If convicted, he could receive a mandatory minimum 30-year sentence and potentially life imprisonment. He may also be ordered to pay restitution to the victim’s family.
The U.S. government acknowledged the role of Nigerian authorities, including the Attorney General’s Office and EFCC, in tracking, arresting, and extraditing Lawal.
