Nigerians anxious as Ekweremadus await sentencing

Emmanuel Thomas I Friday, May 5, 2023

 

OLD BAILEY, London – Nigerians are waiting anxiously for the sentencing at Old Baileys of former Deputy Senate President, Mr. Ike Ekweremadu. He is currently in court awaiting sentencing today.

Ekweremadu who was charged for conspiring to commit modern slavery could bag a minimum of 10 year prison sentence.

However, former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has written to the UK, appealing for clemency for the former senator. His colleague in the senate and other prominent Nigerians have also written, begging for clemency.

It is not clear if the judge at Old Bailey will harken to all these plea.

Senator Ike Ekweremadu, 60, his wife Beatrice, 56, and Dr Obinna Obeta, 50 have all been convicted for conspiring to exploit 21 year old Ukpo Uwamini David under UK modern slavery laws.

The victim, Ukpo Uwamini David  told the court that he is a street trader in Lagos and that he was brought to the UK to provide a kidney in an £80,000 private transplant at the Royal Free Hospital in London for Sonia, the ailing daughter of the senator.

Ukpo Uwamini David had told the police that the Ekweremadus treated him like a slave before he escaped to the police station.

The prosecution said he was offered up to £7,000 and promised opportunities in the UK for helping, and that he only realised what was going on when he met doctors at the hospital.

The London Metropolitan Police initially filled the following charges against the Ekweremadus.

“[A] Beatrice Nwanneka Ekweremadu, 55 (10.9.66) of Nigeria is charged with conspiracy to arrange/facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting.

“[B] Ike Ekweremadu, 60 (12.05.62) of Nigeria is charged with conspiracy to arrange/facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting”, the police said