The Nigeria Police Force, through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, has extradited a suspected fugitive, Matthew Chukwuemeka Adebiyi, to the United Kingdom to face charges of murder and drug trafficking.
The extradition followed a formal request by UK authorities in September 2024, seeking the suspect’s arrest and transfer over his alleged involvement in the murder of one Joshua Boadu on June 18, 2018, after which he reportedly fled to Nigeria to evade arrest.
Adebiyi is also accused of supplying crack cocaine, a Class-A controlled drug, between October 2017 and March 2018 in the United Kingdom.
Police operatives attached to INTERPOL NCB Abuja arrested the suspect on January 23, 2025. Subsequently, extradition proceedings were initiated at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, under Suit No. FHC/L/CS/416/2025.
On February 16, 2026, Justice A.O. Faji granted the application for his extradition in line with the provisions of the Extradition Act, Cap E25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Following the court order and the execution of a surrender warrant by the relevant authorities, the suspect was formally handed over to UK law enforcement officials on April 14, 2026, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, for prosecution.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to strengthening international policing cooperation and ensuring that Nigeria does not serve as a safe haven for fugitives.
Impartnews
