Nigerian Judge Convicts Man of Sextorting B.C. Teen Who Died by Suicide
A Nigerian man, Olukeye Adedayo, has been sentenced to 76 years in prison for trying to blackmail a Surrey, B.C., teenager. His actions led to the boy’s suicide in February 2023. Authorities stress that sextortion and fraud will not be tolerated, citing collaborative international investigative efforts behind the conviction. Adedayo was convicted on 18 charges, including child pornography and attempted extortion, despite pleading not guilty.
The conviction of a man in Nigeria for attempting to blackmail a teenager from Surrey, B.C., is making headlines this week. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) commended the sentencing of Olukeye Adedayo, who was sentenced to a total of 76 years in prison after his actions led to the tragic suicide of a 14-year-old boy earlier this year. RCMP officials indicated that they will not tolerate “sextortions and fraud” in society.
Adedayo was tried and found guilty of 18 charges, including possession and distribution of child pornography, attempted extortion through threats, and money laundering. He had allegedly created an Instagram group using the boy’s name to share explicit images that he believed had been sent in private to a teen girl during a brief encounter. The boy was reportedly taken by surprise when these images were revealed online.
The conviction of Adedayo followed a coordinated international investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies. According to a public statement from the Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit, this was the culmination of a year-long effort that included collaboration with the FBI, the Australian Federal Police, and the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. In their remarks, the RCMP asserted that this case sends a strong signal that such predatory behavior will be met with serious consequences in the community.
While the boy’s name has not been released by the RCMP, he has been identified in media reports as the young victim from Surrey who took his own life. The boy’s family expressed their grief in a statement. They described him as an “innocent child” who enjoyed life and hockey, stressing that he was a victim of manipulation. The family urged other parents to speak openly with their children about online safety in hopes of preventing similar tragedies.
According to reports from Nigeria’s financial crimes agency, Adedayo maintained his innocence throughout the trial. However, he was convicted on all counts last Thursday, although the sentences for his 18 charges will run concurrently, meaning he faces a maximum of seven years for each offense related to fraud. The details of these situations and the creation of the Instagram group containing explicit images suggest a serious disregard for the order and safety of young individuals online.
In light of this case, it is clear that the repercussions for victimizing young individuals through sextortion are severe. The conviction of Olukeye Adedayo highlights the need for vigilance against such predatory behaviors, not only among law enforcement but also within families. The tragic loss of the young Surrey teen underscores the urgency for conversations about internet safety and open lines of communication between parents and children. Ultimately, the hope is to prevent similar heartbreak in the future.
Original Source: www.elorafergustoday.com
