Nigeria’s former Deputy Senate President Senator Ike Ekweremadu, his wife, Beatrice Ekweremadu, and a UK based Nigerian 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.
Ekweremadu’s daughter Sonia was meant to be the recipient of the kidney of the Nigerian street trader David Nwamini whose report to the UK police triggered the Nigerian senator’s arrest, arraignment and subsequent conviction.
The Prosecutor, Hugh Davies told the jury that the behaviour of Ekweremadu showed “entitlement, dishonesty and hypocrisy”.
Ekweremadu and wife, Beatrice denied the charge. 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.
Meanwhile, the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo had written to the British authorities pleading on behalf of the legislator to temper justice with mercy, while delivering the sentence.
Also, Igbo socio cultural organization, Ohaneze Ndigbo, the Nigerian Senate, the House of Representatives and the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission had joined the fray asking the British Authorities for leniency on the embattled lawmaker.
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