The Nigeria Police Force has extradited a suspected fugitive, Matthew Chukwuemeka Adebiyi, to the United Kingdom to face charges related to alleged murder and drug trafficking.
The Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, on Friday through a statement said the extradition was carried out through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja, following a formal request by UK authorities in September 2024.
The request sought the suspect’s arrest and transfer over his alleged involvement in the killing of Joshua Boadu on June 18, 2018. Authorities say Adebiyi fled to Nigeria shortly after the incident in a bid to evade arrest.
In addition to the murder allegation, the suspect is accused of participating in the supply of crack cocaine, a Class-A controlled substance, within the United Kingdom between October 2017 and March 2018.
Police operatives attached to INTERPOL NCB Abuja arrested Adebiyi on January 23, 2025. Following his arrest, extradition proceedings were initiated at the Federal High Court in Lagos under Suit No. FHC/L/CS/416/2025.
Delivering judgment on February 16, 2026, Justice A.O. Faji approved the extradition request in line with the provisions of the Extradition Act, Cap E25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Subsequently, Nigerian authorities executed a surrender warrant, leading to the formal handover of the suspect to UK law enforcement officials on April 14, 2026, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to international collaboration, stressing that Nigeria will not serve as a safe haven for individuals fleeing justice.
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