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Open Free AccountFormer Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, may be among Nigerians to be repatriated from the United Kingdom following a new bilateral agreement between both countries covering the return of failed asylum seekers, visa overstayers and convicted offenders, Saturday PUNCH has gathered.
The agreement was signed during President Bola Tinubu’s recent state visit to the UK.
Ekweremadu was convicted in March 2023 and sentenced to nine years and eight months imprisonment by the Old Bailey for organ trafficking.
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Publish NowThe conviction followed an attempt to bring a 21-year-old Lagos street vendor, David Nwamini, to the UK for a kidney transplant for his daughter.
His wife, Beatrice, was also sentenced to four years and six months imprisonment, while a medical doctor involved in the case, Dr Obinna Obeta, received a 10-year jail term under the UK’s Modern Slavery laws.
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Beatrice has since completed her sentence and returned to Nigeria in January 2025.
The Federal Government had earlier initiated moves to secure Ekweremadu’s transfer to Nigeria before the completion of his sentence.
On November 10, 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, reportedly led a delegation to the UK to engage British authorities on the matter.
However, UK authorities were said to have declined the request, citing concerns that Nigeria might not guarantee that the former lawmaker would continue his sentence if transferred.
The new migration agreement has now revived speculation that the transfer could be reconsidered within a broader legal framework.
The deal was signed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood.
Under the agreement, Nigerians who no longer have legal grounds to remain in the UK—including failed asylum seekers, visa overstayers and convicted offenders—may be returned to Nigeria.
Officials indicate that no fewer than 2,071 Nigerians who have exhausted their asylum appeal rights, as well as convicted offenders awaiting deportation, could be affected by the arrangement.
