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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Police extradite murder, drug suspect to UK

From The Punch · (just now) English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Nigeria Police Force has extradited a fugitive, Matthew Chukwuemeka Adebiyi, to the United Kingdom to face charges of murder and drug trafficking.
  • Adebiyi is wanted in the UK for the alleged murder of Joshua Boadu in June 2018 and involvement in crack cocaine supply between 2017 and 2018.
  • The extradition followed a formal request from UK authorities and a court order from the Federal High Court in Lagos, with Adebiyi handed over to UK law enforcement on April 14, 2026.

The Nigeria Police Force has demonstrated its commitment to international cooperation and the rule of law by extraditing a fugitive wanted in the United Kingdom for serious crimes. Matthew Chukwuemeka Adebiyi, accused of murder and drug trafficking, was handed over to UK law enforcement officials on April 14, 2026, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

The suspect was arrested on 23rd January 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.

— Anthony PlacideStatement from the Force Public Relations Officer detailing the arrest and initiation of extradition proceedings.

This extradition was executed through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau Abuja, following a formal request from UK authorities in September 2024. Adebiyi is alleged to be responsible for the murder of Joshua Boadu on June 18, 2018, and for his involvement in the supply of crack cocaine in the UK between October 2017 and March 2018. His flight to Nigeria was an attempt to evade justice.

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 Muhammed International Airport for diligent prosecution.

— Anthony PlacideStatement from the Force Public Relations Officer on the formal handover of the fugitive.

The successful extradition process involved significant legal procedures, including an arrest by operatives of the INTERPOL NCB Abuja on January 23, 2025, and subsequent extradition proceedings at the Federal High Court in Lagos. The court granted the application for extradition on February 16, 2026, paving the way for Adebiyi's surrender to the UK authorities. The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirmed Nigeria's stance that the country will not serve as a haven for fugitives, underscoring the nation's dedication to combating transnational crime.

Nigeria does not serve as a safe haven for fugitives.

— Olatunji Rilwan DisuInspector-General of Police reaffirming the force's commitment to international collaboration and not harboring fugitives.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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