The Nigeria Police Force has extradited a Nigerian fugitive, Matthew Chukwuemeka Adebiyi, to the United Kingdom to face charges related to murder and drug trafficking.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Okon Placid, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, April 16, 2026, noting that the extradition was carried out through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau Abuja following a formal request by UK authorities in September 2024.
The police stated that the extradition was based on a request by UK authorities to locate, arrest, and return the suspect over his alleged involvement in the murder of 23-year-old Joshua Boadu on June 18, 2018, after which he fled to Nigeria to evade arrest.
The statement further indicated that Adebiyi was also accused of involvement in the supply of crack cocaine, a Class-A controlled drug, in the United Kingdom between October 2017 and March 2018.
According to the police, the suspect was arrested on January 23, 2025, by operatives of INTERPOL NCB Abuja, after which extradition proceedings were initiated at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, under Suit No. FHC/L/CS/416/2025.
The police added that on February 16, 2026, Justice A.O. Faji granted the application for his extradition in line with the provisions of the Extradition Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Following the court order and the execution of a surrender warrant by relevant authorities, the fugitive was handed over to UK law enforcement officials on April 14, 2026, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport for prosecution.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to strengthening international cooperation and ensuring that Nigeria does not serve as a safe haven for fugitives.
