The United Kingdom has rejected Nigeria’s appeal to have former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu transferred home to finish his prison sentence.
Ekweremadu is serving a nine-year, eight-month term following his 2023 conviction for attempting to traffic a young man for a kidney transplant. The case, heavily followed worldwide, became one of the most notable organ-trafficking trials involving a top Nigerian public figure.
Officials in the UK Ministry of Justice reportedly turned down the request because they were not convinced Nigeria could ensure Ekweremadu would complete his sentence if repatriated.
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A government spokesperson, without addressing the case directly, said prisoner-transfer decisions must align with the “interests of justice.” Another official added that Britain maintains a strict stance against modern slavery and expects offenders to face full punishment.
A delegation led by Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, had met with UK authorities last week to seek Ekweremadu’s return. After reviewing the request, British officials concluded that the criteria for a transfer were not satisfied.
Ekweremadu’s wife, Beatrice, who was sentenced alongside him to four years and six months, has already been released and is back in Nigeria.
During sentencing, Justice Jeremy Johnson described their actions as a “despicable trade,” stressing that organ harvesting reduces people to mere objects. He said Ekweremadu played a central role in the scheme—an unfortunate downfall for a once powerful politician.
With the UK’s refusal, Ekweremadu will continue serving his sentence in Britain, ending hopes of an early return through a transfer agreement.
