In trying to save a daughter from dying, Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice have attracted the hand of justice into their lives.
They are being prosecuted in the UK for allegedly luring a young man from Nigeria to have his organ removed for their ill daughter Sonia, who is also on trial.
The legislator was detained and incarcerated last year when the young guy complained to UK authorities about their claimed plans to harvest his organ.
The young man, a trader from Lagos, was to receive compensation of £80,000 for donating a kidney to Sonia at the Royal Free Hospital in London, according to Daily Mail.
But the story has changed.
After a six-week trial at the Old Bailey, last month, the couple and their doctor were convicted of organ trafficking in a ruling said to be a first of its kind under the Modern Slavery Act.
Obansajo Plead For Leniency
A former Nigerian President, Olusengun Obasanjo is pleading for pardon for the lawmaker and his wife.
This plea was put forward in a letter dated April 3, 2023 and written to the Chief Clerk of the court.
An insider state that the letter was real and that the former president had written it personally and not for public consumption.
The former president wrote: “Mr Chief Clerk, I am very much aware of the current travails and conviction of Ike Ekweremadu and his wife in the United Kingdom resulting from their being charged with conspiring to arrange the travel of a 21-year old from Nigeria to the UK in order to harvest organs for their daughter.
“I do realise the implications of their action and I dare say, it is unpleasant and condemnable and can’t be tolerated in any sane or civilised society.”
People Also Read: Organ Harvesting: UK Court Declares Ekweremadu, Wife Guilty
He further appealed that the court would let the inevitable punishment take the “good character” of the couple, as well as their parental instinct and care into consideration.
“I do hope Mr. and Mrs. Ekweremadu have learnt from this distressing experience of theirs to guide their future actions or inactions so they will continue to be outstanding members of their community and will continue to contribute fully to the good of the society in particular and the nation in general,” he said.
See The Full Letter Below:
Will the UK government listen to Obasanjo? We will find out soon.
