Ekweremadu May Benefit From UK Repatriation Deal Sources

Former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, may be among Nigerians to be repatriated from the United Kingdom under a new bilateral migration agreement signed by both countries.

Findings by Punch indicate that the deal covers the return of failed asylum seekers, visa overstayers, and convicted offenders.

Ekweremadu was convicted in March 2023 by the Old Bailey and sentenced to nine years and eight months imprisonment for organ trafficking.

The case involved an attempt to bring a 21-year-old Lagos-based vendor, David Nwamini, to the UK for a kidney transplant for his daughter.

His wife, Beatrice, was sentenced to four years and six months imprisonment but completed her term and returned to Nigeria in January 2025, while Dr Obinna Obeta received a 10-year sentence.

The new agreement, signed during President Bola Tinubu’s recent state visit to the UK, has revived speculation about Ekweremadu’s possible transfer.

It was executed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood.

Under the framework, Nigerians without legal status in the UK, including convicted offenders, may be returned to Nigeria.

The Federal Government had earlier attempted to secure Ekweremadu’s transfer to Nigeria before the completion of his sentence.

In November 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, reportedly engaged UK authorities on the matter.

However, the request was declined over concerns that Nigeria might not ensure the continuation of his sentence.

A senior government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said while the new agreement creates a legal pathway, no concrete plan has been made.

“It may happen; I cannot overrule it. But at the moment, nothing of that nature is on the table. Any such arrangement would require coordination between the relevant legal authorities in both countries,” the official said.

Another official added, “It will be good for him if he benefits from it.”

A senior lawyer, Bankole Akomolafe, cautioned that any transfer must comply with existing legal frameworks.

Akomolafe said, “He has been tried and convicted; that is the judicial process. A bilateral agreement cannot nullify a valid court sentence.

“If he is transferred, the terms must be respected. It would be a breach of agreement for him to be released without completing his sentence, except through lawful processes such as a pardon.”

An Igbo socio-cultural group, the Alaigbo Development Foundation, supported the idea of repatriation.

Its National President, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie, said Ekweremadu had already faced significant consequences and could be considered for a political or legal resolution.

However, he opposed the continuation of his sentence in Nigerian correctional facilities, citing their poor conditions.

On the other hand, a former Director-General of Strategic Planning and Implementation for Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly Worldwide, Tony Obizoba, warned against focusing solely on Ekweremadu.

“Ekweremadu is just one individual. The agreement has wider implications for Nigerians in the UK and should not be reduced to a single case,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was not aware of any direct link between the agreement and moves to repatriate the former senator.

The agreement is expected to affect over 2,000 Nigerians who have exhausted their asylum appeals or are awaiting deportation, although details of its implementation timeline remain unclear.