After a nearly year-long investigation, involving police from several countries, an arrest has been made overseas — tied to the suicide death of 14-year-old Robin Janjua in Surrey. Emily Lazatin reports from Surrey RCMP headquarters where an RCMP news conference was held earlier on Tuesday.
GLOBAL NEWS
It has been nearly a year since Surrey teen Robin Janjua died by suicide after becoming the victim of online sextortion.
Surrey RCMP announced Tuesday that a man in Nigeria has been arrested and charged in the case following a lengthy, international investigation.
Adedayo Olukeye, 26, is in custody awaiting trial in Nigeria on charges including possession and distribution of child pornography, attempted extortion by threats, money laundering, and retention of the proceeds of an unlawful act.
According to the Lagos Zonal Command of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olukeye faces 18 charges.
One of the counts claims that Adedayo, through his various online usernames, intentionally used Instagram to create a group called “Expose Janjuarobin Nudes” to distribute child pornography on or around Feb. 13, 2023.
Olukeye has pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo, based in Lagos, Nigeria, said in a statement that “the international image of Nigeria is in jeopardy, as both the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, RCMP, and the FBI complained to Nigeria about this matter and how it relates to the sudden death of a 14-year-old minor.”
Surrey RCMP Sgt. Tammy Lobb read a statement Tuesday on behalf of the victim’s family.
“It has been almost one year since we lost our son. He loved hockey and he loved life. Not a day goes by that we don’t miss him. He was an innocent child who was taken advantage of due to his innocence.
“As we grieve the loss of our son, we want other parents to know this could happen to anyone,” the family said.
“Talk to your kids about internet safety and keep the door to communication open so they can come to you for help. It brings us some comfort to know the person responsible is being held accountable. We hope this does not happen to another child.”
Financial sextortion is a global crisis, RCMP said, heavily impacting youth in Canada and around the world.
“Our message to youth — you are not alone and there is life after images, Sgt. Dave Knight of Surrey’s Special Victims Unit said in a statement.
