Court orders extradition of Nigerian over murder, drug charges

Court

The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the extradition of a Nigerian man, Matthew Chukwuemeka Adebiyi, also known as Matthew Adebiyi, to the United Kingdom to face trial over allegations of murder and drug-related offences.

Justice Ayokunle Faji delivered the judgment on Monday in suit No. FHC/L/CS/416/2025, filed by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

In his ruling, Justice Faji held that the Attorney-General of the Federation had satisfied all statutory requirements under the Extradition Act for the surrender of the respondent.

“The applicant has met the conditions stipulated under the Extradition Act for the surrender of the respondent. The offences for which the respondent is sought are extraditable and are also offences under Nigerian law,” the judge held.

The extradition application, dated February 20, 2025, and filed on March 5, 2025, was brought pursuant to the Extradition Act, Cap. E25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

The Federal Government sought Adebiyi’s surrender following a formal request from authorities in the United Kingdom, where he is wanted in connection with two criminal complaints bordering on murder and narcotics offences.

Arguing the application, counsel to the AGF, O. Kupolati, who led a team of three other lawyers, told the court that Adebiyi qualified as a “fugitive criminal” under Section 21 of the Extradition Act, citing judicial authorities including Orhunu v. FRN and Anuebunwa v. A.G.F. Punch