The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has extradited a fugitive, Matthew Chukwuemeka Adebiyi, to the United Kingdom to face charges related to murder and drug trafficking, authorities announced on Thursday.
The extradition was coordinated through INTERPOL National Central Bureau Abuja following a formal request by UK authorities in September 2024. Adebiyi is accused of involvement in the murder of Joshua Boadu on June 18, 2018, before fleeing to Nigeria to evade arrest. He also faces allegations of supplying crack cocaine, a Class-A controlled drug, in the UK between October 2017 and March 2018.
Police operatives arrested the suspect on January 23, 2025. Subsequent extradition proceedings were initiated at the Federal High Court in Lagos under Suit No. FHC/L/CS/416/2025. On February 16, 2026, Justice A.O. Faji approved the extradition request in line with Nigeria’s Extradition Act.
Following the court’s ruling and the issuance of a surrender warrant, Adebiyi was handed over to UK law enforcement officials on April 14, 2026, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport.
Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirmed the force’s commitment to international collaboration, emphasizing that Nigeria will not serve as a safe haven for fugitives.
The police said the extradition highlights ongoing efforts to strengthen global law enforcement partnerships and ensure justice across borders.
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