According to a report by the Punch on Sunday, November 16, 2025, prominent southeastern groups have expressed conflicting views regarding the Federal Government’s initiative to transfer former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu from a United Kingdom correctional facility to a Nigerian custodial center. The division among regional leaders reflects broader uncertainties about the motivations and implications of the proposed transfer, with some questioning the timing and others focusing on the humanitarian aspects.
The controversy stems from Ekweremadu’s conviction under the UK Modern Slavery Act for organ trafficking, resulting in a nine-year prison sentence for the former senator and a shorter term for his wife, who has since been released and returned to Nigeria. President Bola Tinubu recently dispatched a high-level delegation, including the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Justice, to London to negotiate the potential transfer, sparking mixed reactions among Igbo leaders.
President of the Igbo National Council, Chilos Godsent, voiced skepticism about the government’s intentions, highlighting the ambiguity surrounding the transfer’s purpose. He pointedly questioned: “are they bringing him back to Nigeria to set him free or bringing him back to put him on trial, or to let him continue his jail term? These things are not really clear.” This uncertainty has led to concerns that the move might be politically motivated, particularly with the 2027 elections approaching.
Other leaders, including Professor Awuzie Unachukwu of the Ala-Igbo Development Foundation, have contrasted the government’s proactive approach to Ekweremadu’s case with its handling of detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu. This comparison has further fueled suspicions about selective justice and political considerations driving the transfer initiative, rather than purely humanitarian concerns.
In contrast, Deputy President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukzu Isiguzoro, has defended the move as genuine and apolitical, emphasizing Ekweremadu’s contributions to the Igbo community and supporting the repatriation effort. Similarly, Abia State PDP Chairman Abraham Amah has argued that the government’s actions should be evaluated based on their alignment with national interest and due process rather than speculated motives, suggesting that each administration has the prerogative to make decisions based on current realities.
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