The Nigeria Police Force, through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja, has successfully facilitated the extradition of Matthew Chukwuemeka Adebiyi to the United Kingdom to face charges of murder and drug trafficking.
According to a statement signed by DCP Anthony Okon Placid, Force Public Relations Officer, the extradition followed a formal request from UK authorities in September 2024 to locate, arrest, and transfer the fugitive. Adebiyi is alleged to have been involved in the murder 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 substance—in the UK between October 2017 and March 2018.
Operatives of INTERPOL NCB Abuja arrested Adebiyi on 23 January 2025. Extradition proceedings were subsequently initiated at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, under Suit No. FHC/L/CS/416/2025. On 16 February 2026, Justice A.O. Faji granted the extradition application in accordance 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 Nigerian authorities, the suspect was formally handed over to UK law enforcement officials on 14 April 2026 at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, for prosecution.
Inspector General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu reiterated the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to strengthening international police cooperation and ensuring that Nigeria does not serve as a safe haven for fugitives.
