COLUMBIA, S.C. — A man from Nigeria has been extradited to the United States to face accusations linked to the tragic death of a South Carolina teenager. Prosecutors allege that the suspect posed as a woman to extort the teen after he shared intimate photos, leading the youth to take his own life.
The teenager in question was the son of South Carolina Representative Brandon Guffey, who has been a strong advocate for tougher laws against sextortion, pushing for legislation that categorizes it as a felony. Guffey has been vocal about the responsibility of social media platforms to better protect minors from online sexual abuse and exploitation.
During a court session in Columbia on Monday, Guffey confronted 24-year-old Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal, who arrived in the U.S. from Nigeria on Saturday. Guffey held a photograph of his son and wore a button representing the foundation he established to combat online sexual exploitation and assist teenagers affected by such crimes. “I can’t save Gavin. But I can hope to save other kids and not let that light be extinguished,” Guffey stated during a press conference following Lawal’s court appearance.
Lawal faces serious charges, including child exploitation that resulted in death, which could lead to a prison sentence of 30 years to life if convicted. He was extradited only on the condition that the U.S. would not pursue the death penalty. Additional charges include the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material, coercing a minor, cyberstalking leading to death, and making threats across state lines for extortion purposes.
A public defender was appointed for Lawal, who did not provide comments when contacted via email. Lawal’s arrival in a U.S. courtroom marked the conclusion of over two years of investigation and negotiations after Guffey discovered his son’s body, having broken down the bathroom door less than two hours after the suspect first contacted the teen on Instagram, according to reports from the FBI.
FBI court documents detail how the scammer, masquerading as a female college volleyball player, encouraged the teen to send provocative images. After receiving a $25 payment, the scammer insisted that a larger amount was required to prevent the release of the pictures online. The teen reported that he was willing to provide an additional $25 a few days later, but as the threats escalated, he indicated he would rather end his life than continue to face the extortion, revealing that he had a firearm.
Authorities state that even after the tragic incident, Lawal continued to send threatening messages to the family. At that time, Guffey was actively campaigning for a seat in the South Carolina House. According to the FBI, Lawal threatened to publish the teen’s photos unless further payment was made, leading to a sting operation that ultimately revealed his identity. An arrest warrant for Lawal was issued in August 2023 after an FBI agent questioned him in Nigeria.
In his first year in office, Guffey’s primary objective was to enact “Gavin’s Law,” aimed at making sextortion a felony with harsher penalties for cases involving minors. The legislative measure was successfully passed within three months of him taking office.
Officials at both state and federal levels noted that while it is uncommon for Nigeria to extradite suspects involved in sextortion, this case conveys a strong message globally that such offenses will be prosecuted seriously. “You can no longer hide in a basement in a faraway country without fear of being arrested, extradited, and brought here to face the families of those you have torn apart,” stated Mark Keel, Chief of the State Law Enforcement Division.
