Ekweremadu, Wife Due For Sentencing Today, Could Face 10 Years To Life Imprisonment
Former deputy senate President Ike Ekweremadu, his wife Beatrice and associate Obinna Obeta are due for sentencing by a British court this Friday after being found guilty of organ trafficking.
The case began last year after a young man David Nwamini reported to the Metropolitan police that he was brought to the UK by the Ekweremadu’s to be used as a kidney donor for their sick daughter, but was abandoned after tests revealed his organ was not a match.
They had all pleaded not guilty. Last month, after six weeks of trial, the court convicted them of the offences.
The penalty specified under the Modern Slavery Act 2015, is between 10 years to life imprisonment.
The lawmaker, his wife has for weeks now been embroiled in a 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.
The organ was needed for Ekweremadu’s sick daughter, Sonia, who was initially accused of being a part to the crime, but was later cleared of the same charge after jurors deliberated for nearly 14 hours.
While Senator Ekweremadu and his wife denied the charges levelled against them, the Prosecutor, Hugh Davies told the jury that the behaviour of the Ekweremadus showed “entitlement, dishonesty and hypocrisy”.
On his part, Dr Obeta, also denied the charge, claiming that the victim in question was not offered a reward for his kidney and was acting altruistically.
There have been several pleas for clemency on behalf of the Ekweremadus, with many listing the achievements and contributions of the lawmaker to the growth of Nigeria and beyond, stating that he is a statesman of impeccable character who happens to have made a mistake.
Some have implored the UK government to temper justice with mercy, noting that the parliamentarian acted on the purview of parental instincts to save his daughter and not for commercial purposes.
They further admit that “mistakes have been made, and lessons learnt”.
