Ekweremadu Bags 9-Year, 8-month Jail Term In UK For Organ Trafficking

EKO HOT BLOG reports that Ike Ekweremadu, former Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, has been sentenced to 9 years and 8 months in jail at London’s Old Bailey today, Friday, May 5, under the Modern Slavery Act.

The verdict is the first of its kind under the UK Modern Slavery Act.

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At a sentencing hearing on Friday, Ekweremadu was jailed for nine years and eight months, his wife Beatrice was sentenced to four years and six months imprisonment, while Obeta received a 10-year prison term.

The sentencing follows their conviction in March for organ trafficking. The Ekweremadus’ sick daughter, Sonia, was cleared of any wrongdoing.

The three were found guilty after arranging or facilitating a young Nigerian man’s travel into the United Kingdom in a bid 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.

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Mr Justice Johnson said, “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.”