Leading investigating officer, Detective Inspector Esther Richardson, from the Met’s Modern Slavery and Child Exploitation team, has said the conviction of Senator Ike Ekwremadu and his wife Beatrice will send out clear message to the world .
She 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.”
The Court will today sentence Ekwremadu and his wife for Organ Harvesting, though the Nigerian Parliament had pleaded for clemency on the issue.
It is not certain whether the United Kingdom Court will consider the plead for clemency from Nigerian parliament as the United Kingdom will use the Judgement to pass a strong message to the World.
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 Sonia Ekweremadu. 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 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 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.
On 5 May 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.
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.
DI Esther 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 CPS, 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.
“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.”
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 the Ekweremadus’ and the Royal Free Hospital. They initially paid a £10,000 start-up fee, the total required would be in excess of £80,000.
