Following fresh diplomatic consultations triggered by Senator Ike Ekweremadu’s imprisonment in the UK, Federal Government has renewed efforts to activate the long-dormant Nigeria–United Kingdom prisoner transfer programme.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, revthe initiative was signed in 2014 by former President Goodluck Jonathan and UK Prime Minister David Cameron, the prisoner transfer agreement was designed to streamline repatriation of inmates.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discliosed that a formal request has now been submitted for Ekweremadu’s transfer to Nigeria. The ministry’s spokesperson confirmed ongoing consultations with British authorities, noting that Nigeria is pushing for the activation of the existing legal framework to allow him to serve the remainder of his sentence locally.
Both countries revisited the agreement during the 2025 Nigeria–UK Migration, Justice, and Home Affairs Dialogue held in Abuja. At the meeting, Nigeria called for a review to ensure compatibility with the Nigerian Correctional Services Act of 2019, particularly regarding timelines, detention conditions, and procedural clarity for transferred inmates. This renewed engagement follows earlier visits by UK officials to assess Nigerian correctional facilities.
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