Lee Rigby killer Michael Adebowale ‘wants prison transfer to serve life sentence in Nigerian jail’

One of Lee Rigby’s killers has made a bid to be transferred to a prison in Nigeria, it has been reported.

Michael Adebowale, 37, is currently serving a life sentence with a minimum of 45 years in HMP Wakefield for the murder, but has asked for a prisoner-swap deal.

The Sun reported that Adebowale has told friends he intends to seek a transfer to a prison with a VIP wing in Nigeria, and that he has written to immigration experts for advice.

A source told the newspaper: “Michael hates Wakefield. It’s stuffed full of lags who see him as a top target.

“He thinks he can spend the rest of his sentence in Africa.”

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However, it is thought Adebowale’s attempt to swap prisons would fail because he wasn’t born in Nigeria.

Adebowale was born in Britain but has Nigerian parents.

He was moved to HMP Wakefield last year, but wants to finish his sentence in Kirikiri jail in Lagos, where former foreign secretary Boris Johnson pledged £700,000 of UK money for a new prisoner wing.

He and his accomplice Michael Adebolajo murdered Fusilier Rigby, 25, outside his barracks in Woolwich, south-east London, in May 2013.

Mr Rigby’s mother Lyn told The Sun: “This is a disgrace and an insult to Lee. I’m sure he doesn’t like Wakefield Prison but he has the luxury of being alive unlike my son who he stole from me.

“He should serve his sentence here and not try to exploit the law for a cushier life.”