The Trumpet Newspaper Issue 597 (May 17 - 30 2023)

News
MAY 17 - 30 2023
TheTrumpet
Page7
Trio jailed for illegal organ
harvesting
In a landmark prosecution - the
first of its kind in the United
Kingdom, 60-year-old Nigerian
Senator - Ike Ekweremadu, his 56-
year-old wife - Beatrice Ekweremadu
and 51-year-old Dr Obinna Obeta
have been jailed for exploiting a
vulnerable victim for illegal organ
harvesting.
The trio: Ike, Beatrice, and
Obinna, were jailed for nine years and
eight months, four years and six
months, and 10 years respectively at
the Central Criminal Court – better
known as the Old Bailey for
conspiring to arrange the travel of a
man for the purpose of harvesting his
organs.
Their daughter, Sonia
Ekweremadu, who suffers from
deteriorating kidneys and needs
regular dialysis – had last March, been
found not guilty.
Detectives discovered the victim,
who is 21 years of age, came from a
remote village in Nigeria. He was
recruited in Lagos and at the time, he
was selling telephone parts in public
markets.
Detectives learnt how he was
deceived into being trafficked to the
UK for the purpose of having his
kidney removed and then donated to
the daughter of the Ekweremadus
(Sonia) in exchange for the suggested
amount of either £2,400 or £7,000
(these two figures were uncovered in
the investigation and prosecution case
review) and the promise of work in
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.
On 20 February 2022, the victim
was brought to the UK in the
company of Isaac Onwudiwe
Ekweremadu, and taken to Obeta’s
flat in Southwark.
On 24 February 2022, the victim
attended his first medical screening at
the Royal Free Hospital in London.
The Ekweremadus had paid a health
tourism company in the UK to
facilitate the medical arrangements
between the Ekweremadus and the
Royal Free Hospital. They initially
paid a £10,000 start-up fee; the total
required would be in excess of
Beatrice Ekweremadu Ike Ekweremadu Obinna Obeta
£80,000.
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
hospital went on to decline to
complete the procedure.
The victim returned to the address
in south London. 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.
Detectives began their
investigation after the victim walked
into Staines Police Station on 5 May
2022, stating he didn’t know where he
was, after sleeping rough for three
days.
The prosecution was able to
demonstrate that the conspirators took
steps to create a false impression that
the victim and Sonia Ekweremadu
were cousins. This was necessary to
justify the victim’s temporary visa to
travel to the UK, and once here, the
victim was coached to provide false
answers to the Royal Free medical
team.
Working together, the
Metropolitan Police and CPS found
evidence that her parents, Ike and
Beatrice Ekweremadu, conspired with
Dr Obeta to identify individuals in
Nigeria whose kidneys might be
harvested for Sonia’s benefit.
The Ekweremadus were arrested
after detectives were made aware of
their flight to London Heathrow on
Tuesday, 21 June 2022. Specialist
officers boarded the plane and
arrested and removed the couple.
They had approximately the
equivalent of £30,000 in US Dollars
and Naira.
Obeta, who was described as the
middle man was arrested on 12 July at
his home address in Southwark. He
himself was an organ recipient in
2021. He played a pivotal role in this
offence. He recruited the victim and
had significant communication with
him.
Joanne Jakymec, Chief Crown
Prosecutor for the Serious, Economic
Organised Crime and International
Division (SEOCID) of the Crown
Prosecution Service, said: “This was
a horrific plot to exploit a vulnerable
victim by trafficking him to the UK
for the purpose of transplanting his
kidney.
“The convicted 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.”
Detective Inspector Esther
Richardson, from the Met’s Modern
Slavery and Exploitation Command,
said: “This is a landmark conviction
and we commend the victim for his
bravery in speaking against these
offenders.
“We could not have done this
without the help of our colleagues in
the CPS, Human Tissue Authority and
other partners who have worked
tirelessly to achieve this result.
“We do understand the challenges
around modern slavery cases as no
two investigations are the same.
Specialist officers from the Met’s
Modern Slavery and Exploitation
team understand this and we will
ensure victims are supported,
signposted and safeguarded with the
help of partners.”
Detective Superintendent Andy
Furphy, the Met’s Modern Slavery
and Child Exploitation lead, said:
“The Metropolitan Police is
committed to tackling modern slavery,
human trafficking and exploitation in
all its forms and we can only succeed
in this by working closely with
partners in the UK and overseas.
“This investigation into organ
harvesting was conducted by
dedicated, specialist crime teams.
Getting to the truth was challenging
and complex. Ike and Beatrice
Ekweremadu and Obeta preyed on the
victim, a young man vulnerable by his
personal circumstances, using their
significant wealth and political
influence to intimidate and exploit
him.”
Julie Currie, Victim Navigator
Programme Manager at Justice and
Care, said: ‘Thankfully, in the UK,
cases of organ trafficking are very
rare. It has been our privilege to
support the survivor involved, who
has been through a horrific
experience, and help him to begin to
rebuild his life.
‘We applaud the man’s bravery for
giving evidence in the case and the
tireless work of the police involved in
the investigation. We hope the trial
sends a clear message out to other
traffickers that they will be pursued.’
The victim survivor, who must not
be named for legal reasons, has
declined applying for compensation,
irrespective of the financial benefit he
stood to make. In his victim impact
statement, he described how he
wanted to put the entire ordeal behind
him. His plan is to work, get an
education and play football.