A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the extradition of Matthew Chukwuemeka Adebiyi, a Nigerian man, to the United Kingdom to face trial over allegations of murder and drug-related offences. Justice Ayokunle Faji granted the extradition request, citing that the Attorney-General of the Federation had met all statutory requirements under the Extradition Act.
The court’s decision was based on an application filed by the AGF, which claimed Adebiyi was a “fugitive criminal” under Section 21 of the Extradition Act. The UK authorities had issued an authenticated arrest warrant, and the court found that the offences Adebiyi is accused of are extraditable and recognised under Nigerian law.
Adebiyi’s lawyer, Larry Ajanaku, had argued against the extradition, citing health concerns and lack of a valid extradition treaty between Nigeria and the UK. However, Justice Faji dismissed these objections, stating that the medical report did not indicate Adebiyi was unfit to travel or receive treatment abroad.
The court emphasised that extradition proceedings don’t determine guilt, and Adebiyi’s presumption of innocence remains intact until proven otherwise in a UK court. With this ruling, Nigeria upholds its international commitment to combat crime and not serve as a haven for fugitives.
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