Nigerian Man Extradited to U.S. for Sextortion Scheme Linked to Teen’s Suicide

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A 24-year-old Nigerian man, Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal, has been extradited to the United States to face charges for his role in a devastating sextortion scheme that led to the tragic suicide of 17-year-old Gavin Guffey.

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Guffey, the son of South Carolina Representative Brandon Guffey, took his own life in July 2022 after being manipulated and blackmailed by Lawal.

Lawal, who hails from Osun State, Nigeria, allegedly posed as a young woman on social media to coerce Guffey into sending explicit photos.

Once the images were sent, Lawal threatened to release them unless the teen sent money. His threats escalated as he targeted Guffey’s family, continuing the extortion in an effort to gain more money.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced on January 27, 2025, that Lawal had been extradited from Nigeria after a thorough investigation.

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Nigerian Man Extradited to U.S. for Sextortion Scheme Linked to Teen's Suicide

Lawal now faces a five-count federal indictment, which includes charges of child exploitation resulting in death, the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material, coercion of a minor, cyberstalking resulting in death, and interstate threats with intent to extort.

The indictment alleges that Lawal’s actions directly contributed to Guffey’s death.

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The charges carry severe penalties, including the possibility of life in prison, with a mandatory 30-year sentence for the charge of child exploitation resulting in death.

Lawal also faces mandatory restitution, meaning he could be required to pay for the losses incurred by the Guffey family as a result of his crimes.

The investigation that led to Lawal’s extradition was a joint effort between U.S. and Nigerian law enforcement agencies.

Nigerian Man Extradited to U.S. for Sextortion Scheme Linked to Teen's Suicide

The FBI’s Columbia Field Office worked closely with Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Ministry of Justice to secure the extradition.

“This indictment represents the culmination of countless hours of dedicated work done by our investigators both here and abroad,” said Steve Jensen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Columbia Field Office.

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“The defendant’s alleged actions are reprehensible, resulting in the tragic loss of a young man’s life.”

Lawal’s extradition and the ongoing legal proceedings highlight the growing urgency to tackle sextortion and other forms of online abuse, especially when they target vulnerable minors.

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