The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja, has successfully facilitated the extradition of Mr. Matthew Chukwuemeka Adebiyi to the United Kingdom (UK) to face charges bordering on murder and drug trafficking.
Mr. Adebiyi fled to Nigeria to evade arrest in the UK, for the alleged murder of Mr. Joshua Boadu on June 18, 2018, as well as involvement in the supply of crack cocaine, a Class-A controlled drug, between October 2017 and March 2018 in the UK.
Force Public Relations Officer (FPPRO), DCP Anthony Placid, in a statement issued on Thursday, April 16, said the extradition followed a formal request by UK authorities in September 2024 to locate, arrest, and extradite the fugitive over his alleged involvement in the murder and drug trafficking.
The suspect, according to the statement, was arrested on January 23, 2025, by operatives of the INTERPOL NCB Abuja, following which extradition proceedings were initiated at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/416/2025. The extradition application was granted in accordance with the Extradition Act, Cap E25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“Pursuant to the court order and the execution of a surrender warrant by the relevant Nigerian authorities, the fugitive was formally handed over to United Kingdom law enforcement officials on 14th April 2026 at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, for diligent prosecution.
“IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, reiterates the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to strengthening international police cooperation and ensuring that Nigeria does not serve as a haven for fugitives,” part of the statement reads.
