The United Kingdom government has rejected an appeal from the Nigerian Government concerning former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu. This decision follows a recent visit by a Nigerian delegation that included Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tugur and Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, who sought to transfer Ekweremadu to serve the remainder of his prison term in Nigeria. According to reports from UK Guardian, the request has been formally turned down.

An unnamed official from the UK Ministry of Justice confirmed the rejection, stating, “A source at the MoJ has confirmed the request was rejected. It is understood the UK government was concerned that Nigeria could offer no guarantees that Ekweremadu would continue his prison sentence after being deported. Any prisoner transfer is at our discretion following a careful assessment of whether it would be in the interests of justice.” The official further emphasized, “The UK will not tolerate modern slavery and any offender will face the full force of UK law.”

Ekweremadu and his wife were convicted in March 2023 for organ trafficking, along with a medical doctor practicing in the UK. His wife has since returned to Nigeria after completing her sentence. The rejection means Ekweremadu will remain in a UK prison to serve his term.