Ike Ekweremadu

**Ike Ekweremadu Biography** **Early Life and Education** Ike Ekweremadu was born on May 12, 1962, in Amachara, Mpu, Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria. He is an academic and lawyer by profession. Ekweremadu pursued his academic journey at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he earned his Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) degree in 1987 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988. He later returned to the university to obtain a Master of Law (LL.M.) degree in 1999. In addition to his legal studies, he holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Law from the University of Abuja. **Career Progression and Major Achievements** Ekweremadu began his public service career early in his life. His political trajectory includes serving as the Chairman of the Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State. He gained national prominence when he was elected to the Nigerian Senate in 2003, representing the Enugu West Senatorial District. He held this position for five consecutive terms, a notable feat in Nigerian legislative history. One of his most significant career achievements is his tenure as the Deputy President of the Senate, a position he held from 2007 to 2019. This non-consecutive 12-year period is one of the longest in the history of the National Assembly. As Deputy Senate President, he chaired several high-profile legislative committees and was deeply involved in constitutional reform efforts, including the process that led to the third and fourth alterations of the 1999 Constitution. Beyond national politics, Ekweremadu has held several international roles, underscoring his influence in continental legislative affairs. He served as the Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) from 2011 to 2015, advocating for regional integration and democratic stability across West Africa. **Current Status** In June 2022, Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice, were arrested in the United Kingdom on charges related to organ harvesting conspiracy. The charges stemmed from a plot involving a young man brought to the UK from Nigeria. In March 2023, following a trial at the Old Bailey, Ekweremadu, his wife, and a medical professional were convicted of conspiring to arrange the travel of a young Nigerian man with a view to him being exploited for his kidney. Following his conviction, Ekweremadu was sentenced to nine years and eight months in prison in May 2023. This legal challenge and subsequent conviction currently define his public status, marking a significant and controversial conclusion to his long political career.