The Nigeria Police Force, through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, has extradited 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 to locate, arrest and return the fugitive over his alleged involvement in the killing of Joshua Boadu on 18 June 2018, after which he fled to Nigeria to evade arrest.
He is also accused of supplying crack cocaine, a Class A controlled drug, between October 2017 and March 2018 in the United Kingdom.
He was arrested on 23 January 2025 by operatives of INTERPOL NCB Abuja, after which extradition proceedings commenced at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/416/2025. On 16 February 2026, Justice A.O. Faji granted the extradition application in line with the Extradition Act, Cap E25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Following the court order and execution of a surrender warrant by Nigerian authorities, the fugitive was handed over to UK law enforcement officials on 14 April 2026 at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, for prosecution.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to strengthening international police cooperation and ensuring that Nigeria does not serve as a safe haven for fugitives,” the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, said.
