Organ Harvesting: Ekweremadu bags 9+, spouse 6, doctor 10+ years jail terms in UK prison
Nigerian Senator Ike Ekweremadu, his wife, Beatrice Ekweremadu, and medical doctor, Obinna Obeta, have all been handed prison sentences by a UK court following their conviction for organ trafficking in March.
Senator Ike was sentenced to 9 years and 8 months, while his wife, Beatrice, was sentenced to 6 years in prison. Obeta was sentenced to 10 years and 6 months in prison.
The trio of Ekweremadu, Beatrice and Obeta were convicted of conspiracy to arrange the travel of a young Nigerian man who was identified as David Nwamini to Britain in order to exploit him for his kidney needed for Ekweremadu’s sick daughter, Sonia.
During sentencing, Justice Johnson told the defendants that “people-trafficking of human organs is a form of slavery. It treats human beings and their body parts as commodities to be bought and sold. It is a trade that preys on poverty, misery and desperation.”
The Prosecutor, Hugh Davies told the jury that the behaviour of Ekweremadu showed “entitlement, dishonesty and hypocrisy”.
Ekweremadu and wife, Beatrice denied the charges. They denied any knowledge of the alleged conspiracy, stating to the court that they were victims of a scam.
Obeta, on his part also denied the charge, claiming that the man was not offered a reward for his kidney and was acting selflessly.
This is the first time that defendants have been convicted under the Modern Slavery Act of an organ-harvesting conspiracy. The conviction carries a maximum life sentence.
