The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has initiated extradition proceedings at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court against three suspects, Samson Ogoshi, his brother, Samuel and Ezekiel Ejemeh Robert, over the alleged exploitation of minors and production of child pornography.

EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, disclosed this on Monday in a statement.

According to the anti-graft agency, the Ogoshis and Mr Ezekiel were indicted in a U.S. federal court on December 1, 2022, on charges of exploitation of minors and production of child pornography resulting in death.

He said they were also indicted on conspiracy to distribute child pornography and conspiracy to commit stalking through the internet.

”According to investigations, the suspects conspired to conduct a sex-based extortion of minors and adults in the United States of America. The trio, investigations also revealed, hacked some social media accounts, posing to be young attractive women to entice unsuspecting victims to send their sexually explicit photographs,” the EFCC statement explained.

It added, ”These pictures were then used in blackmailing the victims, thereby forcing them into making huge financial payments.”

The agency said consequently, Mr Ogoshi was charged with sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of minors that resulted in the death of American citizen Jordan DeMay.

It revealed that the offence carried a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a statutory mandatory minimum of 30 years in prison.

”The trio are charged with conspiracy to sexually exploit minors by causing them to produce child pornographic images that they used to blackmail them,” said the statement. ”They are further charged with conspiracy to distribute child pornography, which borders on sending images to minors, their families and friends, as well as conspiracy to commit stalking through the internet.”

Both offences carry a minimum of five years and maximum 20 years imprisonment.

”While the Ogoshis were arrested sometime in February 2023 around the Ojo axis of Lagos, Ezekiel was picked up in Nasarawa by operatives of the EFCC,” said the anti-corruption commission.

(NAN)