
Nigerian Man Extradited to South Carolina to Face Charges in Sextortion Case Leading to S.C. Teen’s Death
By James Seidel
CC News Network
COLUMBIA, S.C. — In one of the most dreadful sextortion cases in South Carolina. Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal, 24, of Osun State, Nigeria, has been extradited to the United States to face federal charges related to the sextortion of a South Carolina teenager whose tragic death has brought international attention to the dangers of online exploitation.
The sextortion case stems from the suicide of Gavin Guffey, a 17-year-old from Rock Hill, South Carolina, who died in July 2022 after being victimized by Lawal’s alleged scheme. According to authorities, Lawal posed as a young woman on social media, coercing Guffey into sending compromising photos. He then extorted the teen, threatening to expose the images unless money was sent. Lawal later expanded his harassment to Guffey’s family, making similar threats against them.

Lawal faces a five-count federal sextortion indictment, including charges of child exploitation resulting in death, production and distribution of child sexual abuse material, coercion and enticement of a minor, cyberstalking resulting in death, interstate threats with intent to extort, and aiding and abetting. If convicted, Lawal could face up to life in prison, with mandatory minimum sentences on several charges. The charge of child exploitation resulting in death carries a minimum 30-year sentence.
The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in South Carolina in October 2023, also includes provisions for mandatory restitution, allowing the court to order Lawal to compensate the Guffey family for their losses.
Lawal’s extradition marks a significant step in the case. On January 24, 2025, agents with the FBI Columbia Field Office took custody of Lawal in Lagos, Nigeria, with the assistance of Nigerian law enforcement. This effort was the result of international collaboration, including help from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) and the U.S. State Department.
“We will not allow predators who target our children to hide behind a keyboard or across the ocean. Today we honor Gavin’s life and continue our fight against sextortion by holding this defendant accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. “This investigation and extradition are the result of tremendous law enforcement coordination both in the United States and Nigeria. We’re grateful to the many agencies who helped make this day possible.”
Steve Jensen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Columbia Field Office, emphasized the gravity of the case. “The defendant’s alleged actions are reprehensible, resulting in the tragic loss of a young man’s life. We remain steadfast in our commitment to holding criminals accountable, especially those who target our children and endanger their lives, no matter where they are,” Jensen said.
The extradition required critical assistance from Nigerian authorities, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Attorney General’s Office – Ministry of Justice. U.S. and Nigerian officials worked together to identify, investigate, arrest, and extradite Lawal.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative aimed at combating the exploitation of children through the internet. Led by the U.S. Department of Justice, the project
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