US Court Sentences Nigerian to Six Years in Prison for Sextortion Linked to Young Man’s Death

A U.S. federal court has sentenced 27-year-old Nigerian national Imoleayo Aina to six years in prison for his role in a sextortion scheme that authorities say contributed to the death of a young man in Pennsylvania. Aina, who also used the name Alice Dave, received the sentence in October from Judge Joel Slomsky of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. He was additionally ordered to serve five years of supervised release and pay $3,250 in restitution, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Aina and his co-defendant, Samuel Abiodun, were arrested in Nigeria and taken into FBI custody on 31 July 2024 before being extradited to the United States. A third suspect, 25-year-old Afeez Adewale, has been charged but remains in Nigeria pending extradition. The trio was indicted in August 2024.

In May, Aina pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including cyberstalking, interstate threat to injure reputation, receiving the proceeds of extortion, money laundering, conspiracy and wire fraud. Prosecutors said he played a key role in a scheme that targeted a young man in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, causing severe emotional trauma to the victim and his family. Abiodun, 26, pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud in December 2024 and was sentenced on 10 June to five years in prison. Adewale still faces charges of money laundering, conspiracy and wire fraud.

U.S. Attorney David Metcalf described Aina as the central figure in the operation, saying the crime left lasting damage. Officials emphasized that the Justice Department will continue to hold accountable those who carry out such schemes, regardless of where they operate. Wayne Jacobs, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office, said the case underscores the devastating impact of sextortion on young people and the determination of U.S. authorities to pursue offenders around the world.

The investigation was led by the FBI and the Abington Township Police Department, with support from Nigerian authorities, including the Attorney General, the Ministry of Justice’s international cooperation unit and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.