The UK government has rejected Nigeria’s request to deport former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who is serving a prison sentence for organ trafficking.

A report by The Guardian (UK) on Monday said the request, delivered by a Nigerian delegation earlier this month, was declined by the UK Ministry of Justice.

Ekweremadu, 63, is currently serving nine years and eight months after a UK court convicted him in 2023 for conspiring to traffic a young man to London to harvest his kidney for his sick daughter.

This was the first conviction for organ trafficking under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act.

Why It Matters

The refusal marks a significant moment in Nigeria–UK diplomatic relations, particularly concerning prisoner transfers and international criminal justice.

The case sparked global debate in 2023, not only for its gravity but because of Ekweremadu’s political influence as a long-serving federal lawmaker.

The UK’s decision means he will remain in a British prison until he completes his sentence—unless new diplomatic arrangements emerge.

Background: Nigeria’s High-Level Lobbying Fails

A Nigerian delegation led by Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar met UK officials on 10 November 2025 to discuss the former senator’s situation.

Nigeria formally requested that Ekweremadu be deported to serve the rest of his sentence at home.

But a Ministry of Justice source told The Guardian the request was rejected because the UK was “not satisfied” that Nigeria could guarantee the continuation of his prison term after repatriation.

Industry Reactions & Public Views

Legal analysts say the UK’s stance reflects its strict approach to human-rights-related convictions.

Human-rights commentators argue that the decision underscores weaknesses in Nigeria’s penal system, where enforcement of high-profile sentences is often questioned.

What Happens Next

Diplomatic observers say Nigeria may attempt further dialogue, but the UK decision appears unlikely to change unless Nigeria provides enforceable legal assurances.

Ekweremadu, his wife Beatrice, and their associate Dr. Obinna Obeta were convicted for bringing a young man to London under false pretences to harvest his kidney for Ekweremadu’s daughter,

They had arranged the procedure at a private NHS unit before UK authorities intervened.

For now, he will remain in the UK prison system until his sentence runs its full course.

SquirrelPR, Africa’s leading PR management software company, has officially released RANKED2025, its annual data-driven report spotlighting the performance and influence of digital news platforms across the continent.

The report provides vital insights into media consumption trends, platform strategy, and content influence across Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, and Ghana.

One of the most striking revelations comes from Egypt. Despite a population of approximately 114 million, a single Egyptian digital news platform attracted more than 450 million visits in 2024.

This finding underscores a critical insight reflected throughout the report: media influence isn’t dictated by population size but by strategic content delivery, platform accessibility, and cross-border engagement.

Youm7, an Arabic-language platform based in Egypt, ranks first in total visits, securing its position as the continent’s most visited digital news platform. Egypt’s 74% literacy rate and 72% internet penetration rate have enabled platforms like Youm7 to achieve substantial regional influence.

Key Highlights from RANKED2025

The report categorizes platforms into four major content areas:

News & Public Affairs

Business & Financial News

Technology News

Entertainment & Lifestyle

Across these categories, more than 4 billion visits were recorded in 2024 across the five analyzed countries.

Platforms are grouped into three influence-based tiers:

Tier 1: 100M+ annual visits

Tier 2: 10M – 99M annual visits

Tier 3: Niche platforms with at least 50,000 visits

Notable Tier 1 platforms include:

Youm7 (Egypt)

News24 (South Africa)

Daily Nation (Kenya)

GhanaWeb (Ghana)

Vanguard Online (Nigeria)

The Social Media Amplifier

RANKED2025 points to social media engagement as a silent yet powerful amplifier of digital influence.

Platforms with a robust presence on social media consistently rank higher in visibility, revealing a strong connection between online engagement and media reach.

While general news remains dominant across the continent, niche content verticals are still developing:

Egypt leads in general readership but has underdeveloped business and tech sectors.

Nigeria thrives in entertainment journalism, though business and tech segments are emerging.

South Africa excels in business and tech news but trails in entertainment.

Kenya and Ghana show balanced growth potential across all sectors.

A Strategic Tool for PR Professionals

RANKED2025 is more than a media ranking—it serves as a strategic intelligence tool for PR and communications professionals. The data helps:

Identify high-traffic platforms for campaign targeting

Align messaging with audience engagement trends

Build smarter media partnerships

Strengthen digital PR and SEO efforts

Guide crisis communication strategies with influence-based insights

“RANKED2025 equips media professionals with the clarity and context they need to thrive in a fast-evolving digital environment,” said SquirrelPR’s co-founder, James Ezechukwu, at the Lagos report launch.

“This report is not just about rankings – it’s about reshaping how we understand influence and how we communicate across borders,” he added.

About SquirrelPR

SquirrelPR is a public relations technology company designed for African markets. Its platform supports media database management, influencer targeting, and advanced campaign tracking, enabling brands and agencies to achieve smarter, data-driven communication strategies. SquirrelPR is committed to enhancing digital PR efficiency across the continent.

South African authorities have detained Anabela Rungo, the mother of beauty queen Chidimma Adetshina, for illegally residing in the country after her documentation was revoked.

In a statement, the Department of Home Affairs confirmed that Rungo was arrested in Cape Town on Saturday morning, assisted by the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Home Affairs had withdrawn Rungo’s South African documents in September 2024 after discovering they were fraudulently obtained. This rendered her ineligible to remain in the country.

“In an apparent act of brazen disregard for the legal consequences of her conduct, it appears that Ms Rungo has defied her ‘undesirable’ status through her Mozambican passport,” the Department of Home Affairs said in a statement.

“Investigations are ongoing into further potential misrepresentation and fraudulent conduct.”

Child Welfare Concerns Raised

Authorities also discovered that Adetshina’s young child was living with Rungo at the Cape Town residence.

As a result, the Department of Home Affairs is working with the SAPS Child Protection Unit and the Department of Social Development to ensure the child’s safety.

“The department is liaising with social development and the SAPS Child Protection Unit to safeguard the interests of the minor child,” said Home Affairs spokesperson Siya Qoza.

“Rungo will be handed over to the SAPS for further legal processing, and she remains the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Hawks.”

Miss South Africa Controversy

This case reignites past controversy surrounding Adetshina’s nationality.

During her participation in the Miss South Africa pageant, questions arose about her heritage due to her name and her mother’s background.

Adetshina, who has Nigerian and Mozambican roots, clarified that she was born to a Nigerian father and a South African mother of Mozambican descent.

However, Home Affairs’ investigation into Rungo’s fraudulent documentation intensified scrutiny around Adetshina’s eligibility.

In response, she withdrew from the Miss South Africa competition but later entered Miss Universe Nigeria, where she won the crown.