RismadarVoice Reporters, April 16, 2026
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has extradited a fugitive, Matthew Chukwuemeka Adebiyi, to the United Kingdom to face prosecution for alleged offences of murder and drug trafficking.
The Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, disclosed the development in a statement issued on April 16, 2026, in Abuja.
According to the statement, the extradition was coordinated through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja, following a formal request by UK authorities in September 2024.
The request sought the arrest and surrender of Adebiyi over his alleged involvement in the killing of Joshua Boadu on June 18, 2018 in the United Kingdom. Authorities also accused him of participating in the supply of crack cocaine, classified as a Class-A controlled substance, between October 2017 and March 2018.
Police operatives arrested the suspect on January 23, 2025, after which extradition proceedings commenced at the Federal High Court in Lagos. In Suit No. FHC/L/CS/416/2025, Justice A.O. Faji on February 16, 2026, approved the extradition application in line with the provisions of the Extradition Act.
Following the ruling and the issuance of a surrender warrant by the appropriate authorities, Adebiyi was formally handed over to UK law enforcement officials on April 14, 2026, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun Disu, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to strengthening cross-border policing efforts.
He emphasized that Nigeria would not serve as a refuge for individuals seeking to evade justice.
