Court Approves Extradition of Nigerian for Murder Charges

On February 20, 2025, the Federal High Court in Lagos, presided over by Justice Ayokunle Faji, ordered the extradition of Matthew Chukwuemeka Adebiyi, a Nigerian man, to the United Kingdom to face trial for murder and drug-related offenses. The application for extradition was filed by the Federal Government of Nigeria, following a formal request from the UK authorities.

The Attorney General of the Federation, O. Kupolati, led a team of three lawyers in support of the extradition, arguing that Adebiyi qualified as a fugitive under Section 21 of the Extradition Act.

Adebiyi's counsel, Olanrewaju Ajanaku, opposed the application, claiming it violated his client's fundamental rights and that there was no valid extradition treaty between Nigeria and the UK. The court, however, found that the extradition request was valid and that Adebiyi was fit for extradition, rejecting health-related objections and emphasizing that extradition does not determine guilt.