Nigerian politician and wife convicted in landmark organ harvesting prosecution

Senator Ike Ekweremadu, 60, and his wife Beatrice Nwanneka Ekweremadu, 56, were found guilty at the Old Bailey of conspiracy to arrange the travel of a vulnerable male victim with a view to exploiting him for his kidney.

Dr Obinna Obeta, 51, of Hillbeck Close in Southwark – who was described as the medical middleman – was also found guilty of the same offence.

The landmark prosecution following a six-week trial is the first of its kind in the UK for the offence of human trafficking for the purpose of organ harvesting under section 2 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, which carries a maximum life sentence.

Leading investigating officer, Detective Inspector Esther Richardson, from the MPS’s Modern Slavery and Child Exploitation team, said: “This conviction sends out a clear message across the world, the UK will not tolerate the international industry in illegal organ removal.

“We could not have achieved this conviction without the help of one man, the victim survivor. I commend him for his utmost bravery.

“Modern slavery is all around us. We need the public’s help in identifying potential victims of trafficking and exploitation to bring offenders to justice and protect the vulnerable.”

Chief Crown Prosecutor Joanne Jakymec said: “This was an horrific plot to exploit a vulnerable victim by trafficking him to the UK for the purpose of transplanting his kidney.

“The defendants showed utter disregard for the victim’s welfare, health and well-being and used their considerable influence to a high degree of control throughout, with the victim having limited understanding of what was really going on here.”

The court heard how the male victim, who is approximately 21 years of age, came from a remote village in Nigeria. He was deceived into being trafficked to the UK for the purpose of having his kidney removed and then donated to the Ekweremadus’ 25-year-old daughter, Sonia Ekweremadu, who is reliant on weekly dialysis. He was led to believe he was being brought to the UK to earn money for his family.

He was provided with a passport and also provided with a medical travel Visa. He had previously been taken for blood tests in Nigeria which he believed were for his Visa requirements. These were instead to determine if he was a medically suitable match to Sonia Ekweremadu.

On February 20, 2022, the victim was brought to the UK and taken to Obeta’s flat in Southwark.

Four days later, the victim attended his first medical screening at the Royal Free Hospital in London.

The court heard how it became apparent to the doctor carrying out the screening that the victim had limited understanding of why he was there.

After several appointments the victim realised he was to donate a kidney. The consultant picked up the “fear and panic” this caused the victim, the court heard. The hospital went on to decline to complete the procedure.

The victim returned to the address in South London, where he described the mood in the property had changed significantly and he was treated as a ‘slave’. A few days later he managed to escape the property, becoming homeless for around three days.

On May 5, 2022, he walked into Staines police station and stated: “I don’t know anywhere, I don’t know where I am. I was sleeping three days outside around, for someone to help me, save my life.”

“The victim continues to be safeguarded and we are working closely with partners on future support,” said the MPS.

The force said detectives from Specialist Crime Command’s Modern Slavery and Child Exploitation Unit began their “fast paced investigation to understand how this vulnerable man had come to be in London”.

Det Insp Richardson added: “This shows the Met’s commitment to tackle exploitation in all its forms and we can only succeed by working with partners both in the UK and overseas.

“I would also like to thank our colleagues in the Crown Prosecution Service, the Human Tissue Authority and other partners who have worked so hard with us.

“We do understand the challenges and no two cases are the same. Teams within the Met’s Modern Slavery Command understand this and we will ensure victims are supported, signposted and safeguarded with the help of partners.

Detectives discovered Obeta’s mobile phone contained extensive involvement in this offence. He recruited the victim and had significant communications with him.

They also discovered an application for a six-month Visa for the victim.

The application stated: “Senator Ike Ekweremadu is sponsoring my medical treatment to enable me to donate an organ to Sonia Ekweremadu in Royal Free Hospital, London, UK.”

It also stated: “I would be donating an organ to my closest cousin [Sonia] in appreciation for her sacrifices towards me, my family and community. I am willing to put my life on the line for her to live and continue her good service to humanity.”

The Ekweremadus’ paid a health tourism company in the UK to facilitate the medical arrangements between them and the Royal Free Hospital. They initially paid a £10,000 start-up fee, the total required would be in excess of £80,000.

On June 21, 2022, detectives arrested Ike and Beatrice Ekweremadu at Heathrow. On July 12, 2022, Obeta was arrested at his home address. They were all later charged as above.

Sonia Ekweremadu was also charged by postal charge requisition but was found not guilty after the court heard she knew nothing of a reward offered to donors.

The MPS said inquiries were continuing.