UK Refuses to Deport Former Nigerian Politician Convicted of Organ Trafficking Amid Concerns Nigeria Won't Uphold Justice
The UK government has turned down a request from the Nigerian government to deport former deputy president Ike Ekweremadu, who is serving a nine-year and eight-month sentence for his role in organ trafficking. The conviction, handed down in 2023, was the first of its kind under the Modern Slavery Act, with Ekweremadu found guilty of conspiring to exploit a man for his kidney.
Ekweremadu's case has sparked international attention due to its shocking nature and the fact that it exposed vulnerabilities within the UK's healthcare system. The former politician, along with his wife Beatrice and co-conspirator Dr Obinna Obeta, trafficked a young man to London with plans to harvest his kidney for transplant into Ekweremadu's daughter Sonia. The plot was foiled when the victim fled to the police in fear of his life.
The UK government has expressed its commitment to combating modern slavery and will not tolerate offenders who exploit vulnerable individuals. A spokesperson stated that any prisoner transfer is made with careful consideration, ensuring it would be in the interests of justice.
However, Nigeria's request for Ekweremadu's deportation was rejected due to concerns that the country could not guarantee he would serve his full sentence upon return. The UK government remains firm in its stance on protecting victims of modern slavery and will hold offenders accountable under its laws.
Ekweremadu's case has raised questions about why the Nigerian government has not intervened on behalf of over 230 other Nigerians imprisoned in the UK, many who face similar charges. The issue remains a pressing concern for human rights advocates and those working to combat organ trafficking worldwide.
The UK government has turned down a request from the Nigerian government to deport former deputy president Ike Ekweremadu, who is serving a nine-year and eight-month sentence for his role in organ trafficking. The conviction, handed down in 2023, was the first of its kind under the Modern Slavery Act, with Ekweremadu found guilty of conspiring to exploit a man for his kidney.
Ekweremadu's case has sparked international attention due to its shocking nature and the fact that it exposed vulnerabilities within the UK's healthcare system. The former politician, along with his wife Beatrice and co-conspirator Dr Obinna Obeta, trafficked a young man to London with plans to harvest his kidney for transplant into Ekweremadu's daughter Sonia. The plot was foiled when the victim fled to the police in fear of his life.
The UK government has expressed its commitment to combating modern slavery and will not tolerate offenders who exploit vulnerable individuals. A spokesperson stated that any prisoner transfer is made with careful consideration, ensuring it would be in the interests of justice.
However, Nigeria's request for Ekweremadu's deportation was rejected due to concerns that the country could not guarantee he would serve his full sentence upon return. The UK government remains firm in its stance on protecting victims of modern slavery and will hold offenders accountable under its laws.
Ekweremadu's case has raised questions about why the Nigerian government has not intervened on behalf of over 230 other Nigerians imprisoned in the UK, many who face similar charges. The issue remains a pressing concern for human rights advocates and those working to combat organ trafficking worldwide.
. He's literally serving a life sentence for trying to sell someone's kidney on the black market. I mean, what's going through that guy's head? The fact that Nigeria isn't taking his case seriously is pretty suspicious too 
. They're basically saying they won't uphold justice if it's convenient for them. It's like, if you can't guarantee your own country will take care of its convicts, why should anyone trust you to help someone else's? 
. It's like, what's the point of having an international community if no one is holding your feet to the fire? 
The UK government is taking a stand against modern slavery, but Nigeria just needs to step up its game too 
. Ekweremadu should be serving his sentence with no questions asked - he broke the law and now he's got to face the consequences 
.
. And what really gets my goat is that they're asking the UK to take him back without guaranteeing he'll serve his full sentence... are they serious?! 
The UK's all like "oh no, we can't let you go because Nigeria won't uphold justice" but it's Nigeria who's supposed to be holding their own politicians accountable! 
. It's a classic case of "he's one of us, he's above the law"... not cool, Nigeria 
. Meanwhile, we have over 230 other Nigerians locked up in the UK with similar charges... what's going on?! 
The UK government needs to keep pushing for accountability and transparency on this issue - we can't let these human rights abuses slide! 
. i mean, the uk's all about fighting modern slavery and protecting those who get exploited, so why are they letting nigeria just sweep this under the rug? 
.
It's one thing to make mistakes, but it's another to just let the system fail like this. I mean, 230 Nigerians in UK prison? That's a whole lot of people who need justice done. And what's even more messed up is that Ekweremadu got off easy compared to other guys who've been convicted of similar crimes... 
. I mean, he's serving a serious sentence in the UK for his crimes and now they're just gonna let him walk free because they dont want to uphold justice? Its not right, you know? 
The fact that they have 230 other Nigerians locked up for similar offenses is like, super suspicious 
.
... I mean, can you even imagine if they'd sent Ekweremadu back to Nigeria and he just walked out of prison? That would've been a huge injustice 
. I mean, come on, he's been convicted of horrific crimes, including organ trafficking 
! You'd think Nigeria would be all about holding him accountable and making sure justice is served, but nope... they're too busy trying to get their hands on a free foreigner 
. Like, if you can't be bothered to help your own citizens, why should we care about yours? 
The fact that over 230 Nigerians are locked up in the UK for similar crimes and no one's doing anything about it is just shady 
. I'm all for fighting modern slavery, but if Nigeria can't be trusted to follow the law then why should we let Ekweremadu go? #FairnessForAll 
no they dont! 230 other nigerians are stuck in the system too, it's wild how long it takes for governments to get their act together. i mean i guess its good that the uk isnt gonna just send him back without making sure he serves his time tho... still a shame that these ppl have to go through this kinda thing 