The brother of a young Nigerian man, who was trafficked to the UK to have his kidney harvested by former Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, has spoken out about the family's concerns regarding potential revenge attacks from the politician's allies. In an interview with BBC's File on 4, he expressed their apprehension.
Following a trial in the UK, Ekweremadu has been sentenced to nine years and eight months in prison for his involvement in organ trafficking. His wife, Beatrice, received a sentence of four years and six months, while a doctor named Obinna Obeta, who was accused of colluding with the couple, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
According to the allegations, Ekweremadu and his accomplices orchestrated the trafficking of a 21-year-old street trader named David Nwamini to the UK with the intention of using his kidney to save their sick daughter, Sonia. Sonia, who suffers from a severe form of kidney disease, urgently requires a transplant and currently undergoes dialysis for five hours a day, three or four times a week.
BBC journalists interviewed David's brother at a bustling market in Lagos, where David used to sell mobile phone accessories. The brother revealed that they have had no contact with David since his disappearance in February 2022 and only discovered his whereabouts when news of the trial surfaced months later. The family now lives in constant fear of retaliation from Ekweremadu's associates.
"We have been shedding tears every day, and my father's grief has taken a severe toll on his health," the brother shared, reflecting the emotional turmoil the family has endured. He added that Daniel had been deceived and manipulated.
Moreover, Daniel's landlord and mentor, with whom he maintained daily conversations before vanishing, firmly believes that Daniel would never have consented to selling his kidney. The landlord emphasized that Daniel was aware of alternative means to earn money and stated that not even a sum of £1 million would have tempted him into participating in such an illicit trade.
This disheartening case highlights the alarming issue of organ trafficking and its impact on vulnerable individuals like David Nwamini. As the family continues to grapple with the aftermath of this tragic ordeal, they remain hopeful that justice will prevail.
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