Enugu State governor, Peter Mbah, has disclosed that efforts are ongoing to facilitate the return of former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, from the United Kingdom to Nigeria to serve the remainder of his prison sentence.
This aligns with recent moves by the Federal government to establish a legal framework for transferring Nigerians convicted abroad to serve their sentences at home.
Mbah said his administration is engaging relevant Nigerian authorities to explore arrangements with the British government that would allow the former lawmaker to complete his jail term in Nigeria.
The governor made this known during an interview with the BBC, where he disclosed that he remains in contact with Ekweremadu, and is among those appealing to the Federal government to intervene in the matter.
According to the governor, the proposed arrangement would require engagement between the Nigerian and British authorities to determine whether Ekweremadu could be transferred to Nigeria to serve the outstanding portion of his sentence.
“What happened is a test. We are still in touch with him. We are among those who are asking the Nigerian authorities to find out how they and England can ensure that Ekweremadu stays in Nigeria to serve the full sentence if they want him to stay in prison. We hope that he will be released soon,” Mbah said.
He also expressed sympathy for the former lawmaker, describing the circumstances surrounding his imprisonment as a tragedy that could confront any parent whose child is battling a serious medical condition.
Mbah said parents whose children face life-threatening health challenges could better understand the desperation associated with seeking solutions to save their lives.
“If you have never had a child of your own, you will never fully understand what a father will do to save or help his child during a time of health crisis,” the governor said.
Mbah’s disclosure comes against the backdrop of President Bola Tinubu’s move to amend Nigeria’s existing prisoner-transfer legislation to establish a legal framework for Nigerians convicted in foreign countries to serve their sentences at home.
President Tinubu, on October 27, 2026, transmitted the Transfer of Convicted Offenders (Enactment and Enforcement) (Amendment) Bill 2026 to the National Assembly for consideration.
The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Transfer of Convicted Offenders (Enactment and Enforcement) Act, 2004, by providing a framework for prisoner-transfer agreements between Nigeria and other countries, including nations outside the Commonwealth.
In separate communications to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, the President urged lawmakers to give the bill expeditious consideration.
The proposed amendment would empower the Federal government to enter into agreements with other countries for the transfer of convicted offenders. It would also provide for foreign nationals convicted in Nigeria to serve their sentences in their home countries, subject to applicable agreements.
Tinubu further proposed that the President should have the authority to extend the law’s application to countries with which Nigeria has entered into relevant agreements through orders published in the Federal Gazette.
The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative consideration.
However, its transmission to the National Assembly does not automatically guarantee the transfer of Nigerians serving prison sentences abroad. Any such arrangement would depend on the applicable legal provisions, the terms of relevant agreements and the approval of the countries involved.
Ekweremadu, who represented Enugu West Senatorial District in the National Assembly for several years and served as Deputy Senate President for three consecutive terms, was convicted in March 2023 alongside his wife, Beatrice, and medical doctor, Obinna Obeta, for conspiring to facilitate the travel of a young Nigerian man to the United Kingdom for the purpose of harvesting his kidney.
The intended recipient was Ekweremadu’s daughter, Sonia, who was suffering from a kidney condition.
The prosecution established that the defendants had conspired to exploit the young man for the proposed kidney transplant, an offence that resulted in their conviction under British law.
In May 2023, Ekweremadu was sentenced to nine years and eight months’ imprisonment. His wife received a four-year, six-month sentence, while Obeta was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Beatrice was subsequently released and returned to Nigeria in January 2025.
The case attracted widespread attention in Nigeria and internationally, particularly because of Ekweremadu’s political standing and the circumstances surrounding the proposed transplant for his daughter.
Nigeria had previously pursued diplomatic efforts to secure Ekweremadu’s transfer from the United Kingdom.
In November 2025, President Tinubu dispatched a high-level delegation, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to Britain to discuss the former lawmaker’s possible transfer.
However, the British government subsequently rejected Nigeria’s request, citing concerns about whether Ekweremadu would serve the remainder of his sentence if transferred.
The proposed amendment to Nigeria’s prisoner-transfer law represents a further legislative effort to expand the country’s capacity to enter into such arrangements with foreign governments.
- Media Report