Igbo Organization Commends FG on Ekweremadu’s Return from UK

Goodluck Ibem, President General of the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, has supported the Federal Government’s decision to make former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu complete his prison term in Nigeria.

After trying to transport a 21-year-old street seller from Lagos to Britain for a kidney transplant for his daughter Sonia, Ekweremadu was found guilty of organ trafficking in the UK.

Under the UK Modern Slavery Act, he was given a sentence of nine years and eight months in May 2023 and is still incarcerated; his wife, Beatrice, was given a term of four years and six months and was freed early in 2025.

Dr. Obinna Obeta, a medical intermediary, received a ten-year sentence.
Regarding the most recent developments in Ekweremadu’s case, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs’ spokesperson, Alkasim AbdulKadir, told Arise News on Tuesday that the Federal Government was in talks with the UK for Ekweremadu’s transfer to a Nigerian

“We fully support the initiative to enable Senator Ekweremadu’s transfer to Nigeria to serve the balance of his prison sentence in our country’s correctional facilities.”

“The Federal Government’s commitment to safeguard the interests of its citizens, regardless of the circumstances surrounding their predicament, is demonstrated by the ongoing discussions and high-level meetings held with UK authorities by a Nigerian delegation that includes the Attorney General and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“As Senator Ekweremadu works to reintegrate into society after serving his sentence, we believe this endeavor reflects a compassionate approach, rooted in the values of justice and rehabilitation.”

The South-East zone presented a case for the respectful handling of situations involving notable individuals who have made substantial contributions to the advancement of society, while acknowledging that it was not opposed to the necessity of a fair procedure.

“We urge the UK authorities to fully cooperate with the Nigerian government regarding this proposal,” Ibem stated. In addition to advancing justice, mutual understanding and diplomatic interaction will promote goodwill among our countries.

“An appeal for prisoner exchange for him to serve the remainder of his term in Nigeria was tabled before the United Kingdom authorities,” he stated.

A Nigerian team reportedly met with representatives from the UK Ministry of Justice, including Attorney General and Minister of Justice Lateef Adegbite and Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar. Acting High Commissioner Mohammed Maidugu later welcomed the team to the Nigerian High Commission in London.

In a Tuesday interview, Ibem urged UK authorities to fully cooperate and commended the Tinubu government for demonstrating empathy in the Ekweremadu case.

“The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, the premier socio-political youth organization in the South East geopolitical zone, wishes to express its unwavering support and commendation for President Bola Tinubu’s recent diplomatic efforts concerning the case of our esteemed leader, former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu,” Ibem stated.

“We have faith that President Tinubu and his government will handle this delicate matter with the seriousness it requires. The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders is still hopeful that these talks will result in a solution that serves the interests of all parties.

“We urge all parties involved to maintain open lines of communication and cooperate in order to reach a prompt conclusion. Senator Ike Ekweremadu should be given the chance to complete his term near home, where he can rely on his family’s support.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo has not discussed it, according to Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, the organization’s spokesperson. Thus, no answer at this time.