COLUMBIA, S.C. — A Nigerian national was extradited to the U.S. on Saturday to be charged in connection with the death of a teen boy who committed suicide after the man allegedly tried to extort the teen after posing as a woman online.
According to federal prosecutors, 24-year-old Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal is charged with child exploitation resulting in a death. He was also charged with the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material, coercion and enticement of a minor, cyberstalking resulting in death, among other related charges.
Abolore Lawal was in court on Monday where he faced a judge, reported news station WCSC in South Carolina. The teen who killed himself in July 2022 was the son of a Republican South Carolina state representative.
If convicted, Abolore Lawal faces up to 30 years to life in prison. He was appointed a public defender.
Nigeria only agreed to extradite Lawal as long as he would not be sentenced to death.
More on the allegations and charges Abolore Lawal is facing.