FG Opens Talks With UK Over Possible Transfer of Ike Ekweremadu

FG Opens Talks With UK Over Possible Transfer of Ike Ekweremadu
Nigeria explores prisoner exchange or compassionate parole options.
Talks continue under Tinubu’s diplomatic efforts for lawful relief.

The Federal Government has opened diplomatic discussions with the United Kingdom over the possible transfer of former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who is serving a nine-year jail term in the UK for organ harvesting.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that a high-powered Nigerian delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, arrived in London on Monday for talks with senior UK Ministry of Justice officials. The meeting, held behind closed doors, focused on exploring legal and diplomatic options concerning Ekweremadu’s continued imprisonment.

After the talks, the delegation was received by Ambassador Mohammed Maidugu, Acting High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, at the Nigerian High Commission in London.

Diplomatic sources revealed that the visit is part of President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to secure either an early release or a lawful review of Ekweremadu’s sentence on humanitarian grounds. Officials confirmed that the government is examining several legal options under UK law, including a possible prisoner-transfer agreement or compassionate parole.

A senior Foreign Affairs official said, “We are working on an appeal for a prisoner exchange so he can serve the remainder of his sentence in Nigeria. Consultations are still ongoing with the UK authorities.”

Ekweremadu, a three-time Deputy Senate President, was convicted alongside his wife, Beatrice, and medical doctor, Obinna Obeta, by the Old Bailey in March 2023. They were found guilty of conspiring to exploit a young Nigerian, David Nwamini, for organ harvesting intended to save Ekweremadu’s daughter, Sonia.

He was sentenced to nine years and eight months in a UK prison, the longest term ever imposed for such an offence. The ongoing diplomatic engagement reflects renewed efforts by Nigeria to pursue relief within the bounds of UK law.