UK rejects FG’s request for Ekweremadu’s transfer to Nigeria
The UK government has rejected Nigeria’s request to transfer former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu to the country to complete his prison term for organ trafficking.
Ekweremadu is serving nine years and eight months after being convicted of conspiring to exploit a man for his kidney.
Earlier this month, Daily Trust reported that President Bola Tinubu sent a high-level delegation to London to lobby British authorities. The delegation included the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi. They also met with Ambassador Mohammed Maidugu, the Acting High Commissioner to the UK.
READ ALSO: UK court sentences Ike Ekweremadu to 9 years, 8 months imprisonment (Video)
According to credible sources, the mission was part of Tinubu’s efforts to secure either Ekweremadu’s early release or a review of his sentence on humanitarian and legal grounds.
However, the UK Guardian reported on Monday that British officials rejected the request. A source at the Ministry of Justice was quoted as saying the UK could not be assured that Ekweremadu would continue serving his sentence if transferred to Nigeria.
READ ALSO: Ike Ekweremadu: Nigerian Senate pleads with UK for clemency over conviction
While declining to comment on individual cases, a UK government spokesperson noted that prisoner transfers are approved only when they serve the interests of justice. Another source added: “The UK will not tolerate modern slavery and any offender will face the full force of UK law.”
Beatrice Ekweremadu, who received a four-and-a-half-year sentence, was released earlier this year and has since returned to Nigeria.
The UK government is yet to issue a formal statement on the
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp:
Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
