Police extradites Nigerian man to UK over alleged murder, drug offences

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has extradited Matthew Chukwuemeka Adebiyi, a Nigerian, to the United Kingdom to face charges over alleged murder and drug trafficking.

In a statement on Thursday, Anthony Placid, the force spokesperson, said Adebiyi was arrested on January 23, 2025, by operatives of the INTERPOL’s national central bureau (NCB) in Abuja.

In November 2025, a federal high court in Lagos ordered the extradition of the suspect to the UK to face trial over allegations bordering on murder and drug-related offences.

The court held that the office of the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) satisfied all statutory conditions required under Nigeria’s Extradition Act for the surrender of Adebiyi.

Placid said the United Kingdom authorities requested the extradition of the suspect in September 2024 over his “alleged involvement in the murder of one Joshua Boadu on 18th June 2018”.

The force spokesperson said Adebiyi fled to Nigeria to evade arrest after the alleged involvement in the murder.

“The extradition followed a formal request by United Kingdom authorities in September 2024 to locate, arrest, and extradite the fugitive over his alleged involvement in the murder of one Joshua Boadu on 18th June 2018, after which he fled to Nigeria to evade arrest,” the statement reads.

“He was also alleged to have been involved in the supply of crack cocaine, a Class-A controlled drug, between October 2017 and March 2018 in the United Kingdom.

“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.

“On 16th February 2026, Honourable Justice A.O. Faji granted the application for his extradition 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.” (TheCable)