The United Kingdom on 24 November 2025 rejected Nigeria’s request to allow former senator Ike Ekweremadu to serve the remainder of his prison term in Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu’s government had sent a high-level delegation to London, including Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar and Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi, to negotiate the transfer.
The team also sought options for compassionate release or early parole on humanitarian grounds.
UK authorities turned down the request, citing doubts that Ekweremadu would continue serving his sentence if returned.
A UK source said the refusal underscores Britain’s strict stance against organ trafficking and modern slavery.
READ ALSO: Ekweremadu’s Wife Released from UK Prison, Returns to Nigeria
Ekweremadu was convicted in May 2023 under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act for conspiring to traffic a young Nigerian man to the UK for kidney harvesting.
He was sentenced to 9 years and 8 months in prison, while his wife, Beatrice Ekweremadu, received 4 years and 6 months and has since returned to Nigeria.
The decision highlights the UK’s commitment to enforcing justice in serious human trafficking cases, while presenting a diplomatic challenge for Nigeria.
Analysts say it could influence how Nigeria negotiates prisoner transfers in the future.