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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Organ trafficking: Ekweremadu, others to receive sentencing for violating Modern Slavery Act

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Ike Ekweremadu, a former Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, along with his wife, Beatrice, and Dr Obinna Obeta, a middleman medical doctor, will be sentenced on May 5, 2023, for their conviction on charges of organ trafficking. The verdict was issued in March and is the first of its kind under the Modern Slavery Act. The trio was found guilty of conspiracy to arrange for the travel of a young man, David Nwamini, to Britain to exploit him for his kidney, which was required for Ekweremadu’s sick daughter, Sonia.

The Ekweremadus and their doctor face a maximum of 10 years in jail for their violation of the Modern Slavery Act. The sentence will be passed by Mr Justice Jeremy Johnson following the six-week trial and conviction at the Old Bailey, London’s Central Criminal Court.

During the trial, prosecutor Hugh Davies KC told the court that the Ekweremadus and Obeta had treated the man and other potential donors as “disposable assets – spare parts for reward” and entered into an “emotionally cold commercial transaction” with him. Davies also stated that Ekweremadu’s behavior showed “entitlement, dishonesty, and hypocrisy.” Ekweremadu owns several properties and had a staff of 80.

The prosecutor also argued that Ekweremadu’s actions were not simply expedient in the clinical interests of his daughter, Sonia, but amounted to exploitation and criminal behavior. Ekweremadu denied the charge, claiming that he was the victim of a scam. Obeta also denied the charge, claiming that the man was acting altruistically and was not offered a reward for his kidney. Beatrice denied any knowledge of the alleged conspiracy, while Sonia did not give evidence.

In recent days, the Nigerian Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) have written letters to the British authorities seeking leniency for Ekweremadu. Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, has also written to the British authorities pleading on behalf of the embattled lawmaker.

The sentencing of Ike Ekweremadu, his wife, and their middleman medical doctor, Obinna Obeta, on May 5, 2023, is the first of its kind under the Modern Slavery Act. Their conviction for organ trafficking after a six-week trial at the Old Bailey, London’s Central Criminal Court, could lead to a possible 10-year jail term. It is a reminder of the harsh reality of organ trafficking and the consequences of exploiting individuals for their organs

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