Former 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.

The 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.

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.

However, key aspects of the agreement, including its start date and duration have not been made public.

In a statement on his X on Friday, Tunji-Ojo said the agreement provides a structured framework for the “dignified return and reintegration” of affected individuals.

According to him, the arrangement includes provisions for secure travel documentation, case-by-case identity verification, and safeguards for vulnerable individuals, including potential victims of trafficking.

He added that the agreement also outlines areas of cooperation such as information sharing, capacity building, training, and joint research on migration management and border security.

Tunji-Ojo further stated that returnees would retain their rights under Nigerian law and could re-enter the UK in the future if they meet applicable immigration requirements.

Ekweremadu’s case

A senior government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there was a possibility that Ekweremadu could be returned under the agreement, but stressed that no such move was currently under consideration.

“It may happen; I cannot overrule it. But at the moment, nothing of that nature is on the table. Any such arrangement would require coordination between the relevant legal authorities in both countries,” the official said.

Another highly-placed official, who declined to speak on record, said “it will be good for him if he benefits from it.”

The source noted that he could not comment officially on the matter because he had no knowledge of it.

A senior lawyer, Bankole Akomolafe, said while Ekweremadu could potentially be transferred under the framework, any such move would require strict adherence to legal procedures and mutual agreement between both countries.

He warned against any arrangement that would result in the former lawmaker being returned to Nigeria without continuing his sentence.

“He has been tried and convicted; that is the judicial process. A bilateral agreement cannot nullify a valid court sentence. If he is transferred, the terms must be respected. It would be a breach of agreement for him to be released without completing his sentence, except through lawful processes such as a pardon,” Akomolafe said.

An Igbo socio-cultural group, the Alaigbo Development Foundation, said it would not be out of place for the former lawmaker to be repatriated.

The group’s National President, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie, argued that Ekweremadu had already faced significant consequences and that bringing him back to Nigeria could be justified.

However, Awuzie opposed the idea of the former senator continuing his sentence in Nigerian correctional facilities, describing them as inadequate.

He instead suggested that, if repatriated, Ekweremadu could be considered for a political or legal resolution, including a possible pardon.

Conversely, a former Director-General of Strategic Planning and Implementation for Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly Worldwide, Tony Obizoba, cautioned against focusing the agreement solely on Ekweremadu.

He emphasised that the deal should be viewed within a broader national context, noting that it would benefit many Nigerians facing immigration or legal challenges abroad.

“Ekweremadu is just one individual. The agreement has wider implications for Nigerians in the UK and should not be reduced to a single case,” he said.

Obizoba also pointed out that earlier efforts to transfer Ekweremadu failed partly due to the absence of a formal bilateral framework, suggesting that the new agreement could provide a basis for future cooperation.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the ministry was not aware of any direct link between the agreement and efforts to repatriate Ekweremadu.