(DDM) – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dispatched a high-level delegation to the United Kingdom to initiate talks on transferring former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu to Nigeria to complete his remaining jail term.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the delegation is led by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, who is currently in London to engage British authorities on the sensitive diplomatic matter.
The move marks one of the most significant diplomatic efforts by the Tinubu administration since the conviction of the former lawmaker in 2023.
According to official sources, the Nigerian delegation arrived in the UK over the weekend and immediately held meetings with top officials of the British government, including ministers of foreign affairs and justice.
Reports indicate that the discussions centered on securing an agreement for a prisoner transfer arrangement that would allow Ekweremadu to serve his remaining sentence in Nigeria.
Confirming the development, the spokesperson for the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alkasim AbdulKadir, told Arise News that consultations were ongoing between the two governments.
He explained that an appeal for a prisoner exchange agreement had been tabled before the United Kingdom authorities, emphasizing that negotiations were still at an early but constructive stage.
AbdulKadir stated that Nigeria’s approach is guided by diplomatic engagement, respect for international law, and a desire to ensure humane treatment for its citizens abroad.
Ike Ekweremadu, a former Deputy Senate President and senator representing Enugu West, was sentenced by a UK court in May 2023 for his involvement in a controversial organ-harvesting case.
The conviction followed allegations that he and his wife, Beatrice, conspired to arrange the travel of a young Nigerian man to the UK to harvest a kidney for their ailing daughter, Sonia.
British prosecutors said the victim was not fully informed about the nature of the procedure, leading to one of the most widely discussed legal cases involving a Nigerian politician in recent years.
Ekweremadu was sentenced to nine years and eight months in prison, while his wife received a lighter sentence.
Since his imprisonment, several Nigerian political figures and organizations have appealed to the UK government for leniency or transfer under existing bilateral agreements on prisoner exchange.
The Federal Government’s latest intervention, led by Minister Tuggar, signals a renewed diplomatic push to bring Ekweremadu home under a humanitarian and legal framework.
Analysts believe this effort may also be aimed at strengthening Nigeria–UK relations and reaffirming the Tinubu administration’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerians abroad.
The development has generated fresh debate across political circles, with some Nigerians describing it as a humanitarian gesture, while others view it as a politically motivated move.
Observers note that the prisoner exchange arrangement, if approved, could set a precedent for similar cases involving Nigerian nationals serving terms overseas.
As of Monday, British officials have not issued a public statement on the outcome of the initial meetings with the Nigerian delegation.
However, diplomatic sources in London confirm that both governments are maintaining open communication and exploring the legal implications of such a transfer.
Ike Ekweremadu, once a powerful figure in Nigeria’s Senate and a long-time member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), remains a symbol of how rapidly political fortunes can change in the face of global justice systems.
The outcome of these diplomatic talks may determine whether he completes his sentence on Nigerian soil or continues to serve his term in a British correctional facility.