Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has stated that efforts are underway to facilitate the return of former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu from a UK prison to Nigeria so he can serve the remainder of his sentence there.
Mbah made the comments in an interview with BBC Igbo (reported around 11–12 November 2026). He described the circumstances of Ekweremadu’s conviction as “a test” that could happen to any parent, noted that the state government remains in contact with him, and said authorities are appealing to Nigerian officials to work with their British counterparts on possible arrangements.
In the interview, Mbah said: “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.”
Background
Ekweremadu was convicted in the UK in 2023 (alongside his wife Beatrice and a doctor) of conspiracy to facilitate the travel of a young man for the purpose of harvesting his kidney for their daughter Sonia, who had a kidney condition. He received a sentence of nine years and eight months. Beatrice was sentenced to four years and six months, was released earlier, and returned to Nigeria in January 2025.
Previous Nigerian government efforts to secure a prisoner transfer, including a high-level delegation sent by President Bola Tinubu in November 2025, were rejected by UK authorities. Concerns cited included whether Nigeria could guarantee that the remainder of the sentence would be fully served.
Mbah’s comments indicate ongoing engagement by the Enugu State government with federal authorities on the matter. No official confirmation of a formal agreement or timeline for any transfer has been reported as of the latest available accounts.
About the Author
