The Nigeria Police Force has extradited a fugitive, Matthew Chukwuemeka Adebiyi, to the United Kingdom to face charges of murder and drug trafficking.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the police said the extradition was carried out through INTERPOL National Central Bureau, Abuja, following a formal request from UK authorities in September 2024.
The police said Adebiyi was wanted over the alleged murder of Joshua Boadu on June 18, 2018, in the United Kingdom. He was also accused of supplying crack cocaine, described as a Class-A controlled drug, between October 2017 and March 2018.
According to the statement, Adebiyi fled to Nigeria after the alleged murder in an attempt to evade arrest. Operatives of INTERPOL NCB Abuja later arrested him on January 23, 2025.
The police said extradition proceedings were subsequently filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos in suit number FHC/L/CS/416/2025.
On February 16, 2026, Justice A.O. Faji granted the application for his extradition in line with 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 Nigerian authorities, the suspect was handed over to UK law enforcement officials on April 14, 2026, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu said the action reflected the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to international police cooperation and to ensuring that Nigeria does not serve as a safe haven for fugitives.
The statement was signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, and dated April 16, 2026.
