Organ Harvesting: Why London court jails Ike Ekweremadu, his wife, medical ‘middleman’ –CCC Judge

*A Judge of the Central Criminal Court, in the United Kingdom Friday, May 5, sentences Dr. Ike Ekweremadu, ex-Nigerian Deputy Senate President and serving Senator, his wife Beatrice, and Dr. Obinna Obeta to jail in the first ever conviction under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act 2015

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

After months of trial in the United Kingdom (UK), a Judge of the Central Criminal Court (CCC), also known as the Old Bailey, has sentenced Dr. Ike Ekweremadu, ex-Nigerian Deputy Senate President, his wife Beatrice, and Dr. Obinna Obeta to jail for organ harvesting conspiracy.

The court at a sentencing hearing Friday, May 5, 2023, jailed Dr. Ekweremadu for nine years and eight months, his wife Beatrice was sentenced to four years and six months imprisonment, while Doctor Obeta bagged a 10-year prison term.

ConsumerConnect reports the latest sentencing of the trio accused persons followed their conviction for organ trafficking involving a 21-year-old young Nigerian man March this year.

The Ekweremadus’ sick daughter, Sonia, however was cleared of any wrongdoing, according to report.

Months-long trial in the UK

The UK court’s charges were preferred against the Ekweremadus June 23, 2022, when their arrest was announced. Obeta was later arraigned July 13, 2022.

However, while Ekweremadu’s wife was granted bail, the serving Senator’s was refused.

After months of a pre-trial, the trial commenced January 31 this year, and lasted about six weeks, culminating in a guilty verdict against Ekweremadu, Beatrice, and Obeta.

Accused persons found guilty, bag varying sentences

Both Ekweremadu, his wife and the medical doctor were found guilty of arranging or facilitating a young Nigerian’s travel into the UK in order to obtain his kidney on behalf of Sonia.

The jury said Ekweremadu, his wife and their doctor criminally conspired to bring the 21-year-old Lagos street trader to London to exploit him for his kidney.

The conviction is the first under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Pleas for clemency couldn’t stop court’s sentencing

It is noted that the trio’s sentencing in the UK was sequel to earlier pleas from multiple prominent personalities and institutions, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Other petitioners who intervened for the country to temper justice with mercy included both chambers of the Nigerian National Assembly (NASS); Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM);  International Human Rights Commission (IHRC), among several other prominent individuals and groups.

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