Two Nigerian brothers have been sentenced to 17 years and six months in prison in the US for their involvement in a sextortion scam that led to the death of a 17-year-old boy.
Samuel Ogoshi, 24, and Samson Ogoshi, 21, from Lagos, manipulated Jordan DeMay by posing as a girl his age on Instagram.
After tricking him into sending explicit photos, they blackmailed him for hundreds of dollars, threatening to share the images with his friends if he didn’t comply.
Jordan took his own life less than six hours after the initial contact.
This case marks the first successful prosecution of Nigerians for sextortion in the US, a crime that is increasingly associated with Nigeria.
Jordan’s mother, Jenn Buta, shared her grief in court, holding up pictures of her son and describing her devastation.
She expressed relief at the trial’s conclusion but noted that there is no real justice for her family from this tragedy.
The Ogoshi brothers had pleaded guilty to conspiring to exploit teenage boys across the US.
They were found to have targeted 38 victims, including 13 minors.
During the trial, the brothers, dressed in orange jumpsuits and handcuffs, expressed remorse for their actions.
Their defense attributed their crimes to drug abuse and the prevalent sextortion culture in Nigeria.
US authorities successfully extradited the brothers from Lagos for their trial, and another Nigerian man linked to similar cases is currently contesting extradition.
Jenn Buta commended the police for their efforts but conveyed mixed feelings about the sentencing, emphasizing that while accountability is important, it does not mitigate the loss of her son.
She also reflected on the impact of this case on both Nigerian and American families affected by sextortion.
Nigerian experts hope that the sentencing of the Ogoshi brothers will serve as a deterrent to others involved in similar crimes.
Professor Adedeji Oyenuga from Lagos State University believes the case could reduce the prevalence of such crimes by demonstrating the severe consequences of sextortion.
Dr. Tombari Sibe of Digital Footprints Nigeria emphasized the need for extensive coverage to educate young Nigerians about the serious ramifications of cybercrime, including the potential for significant prison sentences and loss of life.
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