In a significant diplomatic move, the Nigerian government has initiated formal discussions with the United Kingdom to secure the transfer of former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, from a UK prison to Nigeria to complete his sentence.
Senator Ike Ekweremadu was convicted in the UK in May 2023 under the Modern Slavery Act for orchestrating an illegal organ trafficking scheme. The case involved bringing a 21-year-old Lagos street vendor to Britain for a kidney transplant intended for Ekweremadu’s daughter. He was sentenced to nine years and eight months, while his wife, Beatrice, received four years and six months and was released early in 2025.
Alkasim Abdulkadir, spokesperson for the Minister of Foreign Affairs, confirmed the visit and emphasized that the discussions were part of a broader diplomatic effort to review Ekweremadu’s sentence or secure an early release. The delegation was also received at the Nigerian High Commission in London by Ambassador Mohammed Maidugu.
This move underscores Nigeria’s commitment to protecting the rights of its citizens abroad, even in complex legal circumstances. If successful, the transfer would allow Ekweremadu to serve the remainder of his sentence under Nigerian jurisdiction, potentially opening the door for future prisoner exchange agreements between both nations.