UK rejects Nigeria’s request to transfer Ekweremadu back to Nigeria

The British Government has reportedly rejected a request from Nigeria to allow former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who is serving time for organ trafficking, to serve the remainder of his sentence in a Nigerian prison.
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According to reports from The Guardian UK on Monday, the request, made by a Nigerian delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, was denied over concerns that Nigeria could not guarantee Ekweremadu would continue serving his sentence upon return.
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Ike Ekweremadu, 63, his wife, Beatrice, and a medical doctor, Obinna Obeta, were convicted in 2023 under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act for conspiring to exploit a young Nigerian man for his kidney, which was intended for their daughter, Sonia. The conviction marked the first-ever organ trafficking case under that specific British law.
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Ekweremadu received a sentence of nine years and eight months. His wife, Beatrice, received four years and six months and has since been released after serving half her term. Dr. Obeta received a 10-year sentence.
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‎The victim, was trafficked to a London hospital and falsely presented as Sonia’s cousin to facilitate a kidney transplant. The plot came to light after the victim fled and sought help from authorities.
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‎The Federal Government of Nigeria formally requested the prison transfer last week, on the basis of the agreement between the two nations on transfer of prisoners.
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