The Nigeria Police Force has transferred a wanted suspect, Matthew Chukwuemeka Adebiyi, to authorities in the United Kingdom following the conclusion of extradition proceedings approved by a Federal High Court in Lagos.
The handover, which took place on April 14, 2026, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, marks the culmination of a cross-border investigation coordinated by INTERPOL operatives in Nigeria.
Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placide, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Thursday, noting that the process was initiated after UK authorities formally requested the suspect’s extradition in September 2024.
According to the police, Adebiyi had been on the radar of UK law enforcement over his alleged role in the killing of one Joshua Boadu on June 18, 2018. He was also accused of participating in the distribution of crack cocaine, classified as a Class-A controlled substance, between October 2017 and March 2018.
“The Nigeria Police Force, through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja, has successfully facilitated the extradition of one Matthew Chukwuemeka Adebiyi to the United Kingdom to face charges bordering on murder and drug trafficking,” the statement read.
“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. 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.”
Police disclosed that the suspect was apprehended on January 23, 2025, by INTERPOL operatives in Abuja, after which legal proceedings were instituted at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division.
Justice A.O. Faji subsequently granted the extradition request on February 16, 2026, in line with the provisions of the Extradition Act.
“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,” the statement added.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to international collaboration, stressing that Nigeria will not serve as a refuge for individuals evading justice abroad.
