JUST IN: UK Rejects Nigeria’s Request to Transfer Ike Ekweremadu!

JUST IN: UK Rejects Nigeria’s Request to Transfer Ike Ekweremadu!

Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan | Sele Media Africa

The British Government has declined Nigeria’s request to allow former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu to serve out the remainder of his prison sentence in Nigeria, officials confirmed on Monday. [1]

“Any prisoner transfer is at our discretion… we cannot approve a transfer unless it is in the interests of justice,” said a UK Ministry of Justice (MoJ) source. [2]

Key Details:

• Ekweremadu was convicted in March 2023 in the UK of organ‑trafficking offences and sentenced in May 2023 to nine years and eight months behind bars. [2]
• Nigeria’s government had sent a delegation to the UK, led by its Foreign Affairs Minister and Attorney General, requesting the seasoned lawmaker be transferred to serve in Nigeria. [3]
• The UK Justice ministry cited concerns that Nigeria could not guarantee that Ekweremadu would complete his sentence under equivalent conditions if transferred. [4]

Why It Matters:

• The rejection places diplomatic strain on Nigeria‑UK relations and underscores the UK’s firm stance on modern slavery and serious crimes.
• This decision signals that countries seeking prisoner transfers must meet stringent legal and custodial equivalency standards.
• For Nigeria, the outcome raises questions about how it supports nationals abroad and navigates international justice systems.

What to Watch:

• Whether Nigeria will lodge further diplomatic protests or seek alternative legal routes for Ekweremadu’s transfer.
• Potential parliamentary scrutiny in Nigeria of how the Foreign Ministry handles overseas inmates and prisoner transfer protocols.
• Impacts on other high‑profile Nigerians serving sentences abroad and the bilateral treaties governing prisoner transfers.

Citations:

1. The Guardian: www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/nov/24/uk-rejects-nigerian-request-to-deport-former-politican-ike-ekweremadu-jailed-for-organ-trafficking?utm_source=chatgpt.com
2. TheCable: www.thecable.ng/uk-rejects-fgs-request-for-ekweremadu-to-complete-prison-term-in-nigeria/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
3. Vanguard News: www.vanguardngr.com/2025/11/tinubu-sends-delegation-to-uk-to-negotiate-ekweremadus-prison-transfer-to-nigeria?utm_source=chatgpt.com
4. The Will News: thewillnews.com/2025/11/24/no-repatriation-uk-insists-ekweremadu-must-finish-sentence-in-british-prison/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
5. Vanguard News: www.vanguardngr.com/2025/11/breaking-uk-rejects-fgs-request-to-transfer-ekweremadu-to-nigeria/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

About The Author

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan

editor

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan is a dynamic journalist and editorial leader committed to excellence in news reporting and storytelling. As the Editor-in-Chief of Sele Media Africa, she ensures daily operations run smoothly while upholding the highest editorial standards. With a strong eye for detail and deep understanding of audience engagement, Marian coordinates content across platforms, guiding teams to produce compelling, timely, and credible news. Her leadership reflects the heart of Sele Media Africa’s mission—to inform, inspire, and elevate voices across the continent.

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