According to the Daily Mail the suspect was already in jail on drug smuggling charges when a sharp-eyed British Interpol agent noticed his name on a database and made the connection.
Portuguese authorities are now seeking his extradition from the East African country. Rep Ellie Chessell, 29, suffered the attack earlier this year in May.
Her ex boyfriend, who is alleged to have ordered the attack, has been arrested and faces extradition from the island of Madeira to mainland Portugal.