Ekweremadu: Before that sentencing on May 5, temper justice with mercy for Sonia’s sake, an appeal to British Justice System

By Cyriacus Nnaji:

From the point of view of a Literary Humanist, I have not come here to apportion blames on the travail of the serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ike Ekweremadu, his wife, daughter, a doctor, and Mr Ukpo, but to appeal to the British Justice System to temper justice with mercy as it set to sentence the Ekweremadus’ having found them guilty of organ harvesting. This, I am doing on the basis of consideration of the life of the young lady who, obviously, everyone admitted is down with kidney disease.

I also have not come here to ask questions as to why Ekweremadu and family were abandoned to their fate by both tribe and nation in this trying time, even though a lot of cracks abound in how the Ekweremadus handle the case especially when the case was reported to the police and the entire court process. However, it is obvious the the Ekweremadus were relying on agreement struck between them and Mr Ekpo, the owner of the targeted organ which is the centre of this dispute.

As I stated earlier, the objective of this composition, essay, epistle, letter or correspondence, depending on nomenclature or terminology, is, of course, not to apportion blames to either the British justice system, David Ukpo Nwanmini, whose organ is in the eye of the storm, or the Ekweremadus; my exposition is designed as a representation of humanity angle in what transpired between the young man and the Ekweremadus and perhaps discover if we can still find humanity at the centre of our heart so as to deliver a dying woman, Sonia at no negative cost to anyone involved.

As parents, those of us who have families, in our individual homes, I believe, without being misunderstood, there is hardly anything we cannot do for our children, especially once those children are not found to be criminals, one can even die for sake of children just as Jesus Christ died for humanity, that is the love that runs in the parents for their children. Looking at the Ekweremadu and his wife, when they began this journey of organ transplant for their daughter, I am sure it was to do all that is humanly possible to save their child, Sonia. I am also convinced Ike Ekweremadu did not contract Mr Ekpo to take his organ to do ritual or for meal. We all must establish that fact. Having established that fact, we must not just feign ignorance of our milieu, Nigeria where every good thing is appreciated with gifts, cash, et al, even when the law says otherwise, due to so many considerations, including poverty, those who do good still ask for money before they do good, which from unfolding events is quite different from how things are done in Britain and their kingdom, going by their extant laws on organ harvesting. That does not change the fact that in Nigeria, many willingly offer such organ for money since removing them would not pose any threat to their lives. The above argument must be posed before the judge in sentencing the Ekweremadus. Or better still forgive him because of the circumstances in which he got enmeshed to save his daughter from dying.

In delivering judgement on the case, the Honourable Judge found the Ekweremadus guilty after going through the law, and listening to the prosecutor who availed the court the Whatsapp messages between the doctor and Ekweremadu which incriminated them with intention to buy such organ which is against the British law on organ donation or harvesting. However, I want the same court to come to Nigeria or even mandate the Nigeria police and the Nigerian Communications Commission to avail the court of the interactions between Mr Ekpo and the Ekweremadus in Nigeria culminating to the contract to travel to UK for organ harvesting for the transplant for the Ekweremadu’s daughter. Again this disagreement between Ekpo and the Ekweremadus, at what point did the relationship go sour? Because they were jolly good fellow till it was discovered that Ekpo’s kidney did not match that of Sonia, hence arrangements were being made for the young man’s return to Nigeria, when he decided to nail the Ekweremadu’s, this is the crux of the matter

Ekpo cannot sincerely tell the world that he was unaware of the reason he went to the united kingdom, and on that basis I still insist that NCC oblige court of the voice and mail or even Whatsapp communications, and transactions directly or indirectly related to the conversations between the Ekweremadu’s, Ekpo, the Doctor and even the go between who connected the Ekweremadus and Ekpo, because the senator and Ekpo are in no way related, so how did they come together. Why I took this route is to show that David Ekpo Nwamini is simply a goal digger and the British Justice System must recognize that. He was taken to Britain to donate one of his kidney for onward transplant on Sonia, Ekweremadu’s daughter who is down with kidney disease.

Recall that Sonia dropped out of Newcastle University obviously because of this disease, why haven’t the British sent a kidney donor to this young woman who has been undergoing medical treatment since then. I don’t believe that Britain with their laws would act advertently and in such a manner to feign ignorance of the urgent need to save the life of Sonia.

When the Ekweremadus argued that the said Ekpo is related to them by blood, I assume, and rightly so, that they did so recognizing what the British law said on organ harvesting and the agreement they had with the inglorious young gold digger before he started the journey to Britain.

In Nigeria people go to hospitals to donate blood of even some vital organs they know would save life and still sustain their own life, many do it free but majority do it for money, and I believe, and sincerely too that Mr Ekpo who reported himself to the police as a 16 years old boy, but later he was discovered to be 21 now 22, fell among the latter group, which to many in Nigeria is even commendable since it was aimed at saving life. The turn of events is now where the problem lies. His organ did not match that of Sonia, but rather to come back to Nigeria, he wanted to stay back in Britain. This is the bane of the Ekweremadus.

How did the Ekweremadus come in contact with the young Ekpo, what did the documentation say, Visa, air ticket, telephone conversations among the Ekweremadus, the Ekpo and the go-between because I am convinced that Senator Ekweremadu did not by himself go to the computer village, where the boy was working and took him to Britain.

What went wrong, how come the journey that commenced on a smooth note went awry midway, who reneged on their agreement, who nailed the Ekweremadus, and what is the place of Ekweremadu’s daughter in all this macabre dance?

It started like a huge joke on that fateful day in June, 2022, when the news filtered in that the duo of Senator Ike Ekwerenmadu and wife were arrested in Britain for organ harvesting, not a few people were jolted, the question was then what, when, where and how? A senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and a former Deputy Senate President for that matter.

As the story have it, the Ekwerenmadus were looking for kidney for their ailing daughter who has kidney challenge, and Ekpo was contacted to donate his kidney for the young lady. This is what brought the young Ekpo and the Ekwerenmadus together, what went wrong is the million dollar question. From side talk it was gathered that Ekpo's kidney organ did not match that of Ekwerenmadu's daughter, hence the contract was aborted, and as is traditional with the Nigerian elites, the young Ekpo became irritating, and hence must go back to Nigeria.

Ekpo who has tasted the good life in the land of the white man as against the hell he was used to, felt it was a golden opportunity to stay back even though it is through crooked means, even though the revered senator goes down with all his honours, he did not give a damn. What did he do? He reported to the police and claimed ignorance of why he was brought to Britain. This is where he showed himself a gold digger. He also lied about his age when he said he was 16 but it was later discovered he was actually 21 years old, hence he is capable of taking decisions and indeed he knew why he was in Britain.

Bear in mind that organ transplant all across the world is not done with that of goat cow of ram, it is human to human. Many Nigerians donate kidney to close relations and, or those who can pay them, they also donate blood to save lives.

There is a huge line between organ harvesting to save life and organ sale or harvesting for rituals which the British law should be concerned about. Now the question is did the Ekwerenmadus need the kidney to save life? The question is absolutely yes, so why the hullaballoo over Ekpo consenting or not consenting, when indeed he travelled to Britain for a well negotiated deal? I feel for the Ekweremadus seriously.

The embattled former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, his wife, Beatrice and a doctor have now been convicted. They called Mr Ekpo the victim and, a street trader from Lagos, who was brought to the UK last year to provide a kidney in an £80,000 private transplant at the Royal Free Hospital in London. When the trio were convicted, Sonia tearfully hugged her father who was remanded in custody with the others ahead of the May 5 sentencing. I appeal to the Britons to make sure they watch over the young lady so that nothing happens to her advertently or inadvertently.

Organ harvesting law in UK. The United Kingdom’s Modern Slavery Act 2015 frowns at human trafficking under which organ harvesting falls and is punishable with maximum sentence of life imprisonment upon conviction.

The Act partly reads: “Under S. 2, an individual commits an offence if they arrange or facilitate the travel of another with a view to that person being exploited. It is irrelevant whether that person consents to the travel, or whether they are a child or an adult.

“Under S. 3 of MSA 2015, exploitation includes: slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour; sexual exploitation (which involves the commission of an offence under s 1(1)(a) of the Protection of Children’s Act 1978 (indecent photographs of children), or Pt 1 of SOA 2003 (eg, rape or sexual assault); removal of organs where a person is encouraged required or expected to do anything which involves the commission of an offence under ss 32 or 33 of the Human Tissue Act 2004 (prohibition of commercial dealings in organs and restrictions on use of live donors); securing services etc by force, threats or deception; securing services etc from children and vulnerable persons (eg, physically or mentally ill or disabled).”

It further stated that anyone found guilty of “human trafficking is liable on summary conviction to 12 months’ imprisonment and/or unlimited fine,” adding that “on conviction on indictment, the maximum sentence is life.

Ekweremadu has been in detention since June last year.

Let’s also see what the British law says on Human Organ Transplants Act 1989 looking at CHAPTER 31

1. Prohibition of commercial dealings in human organs

(1)A person is guilty of an offence if in Great Britain he—

(a)makes or receives any payment for the supply of, or for an offer to supply, an organ which has been or is to be removed from a dead or living person and is intended to be transplanted into another person whether in Great Britain or elsewhere;

(b) seeks to find a person willing to supply for payment such an organ as is mentioned in paragraph (a) above or offers to supply such an organ for payment;

(c) initiates or negotiates any arrangement involving the making of any payment for the supply of, or for an offer to supply, such an organ; or

(d) takes part in the management or control of a body of persons corporate or unincorporate whose activities consist of or include the initiation or negotiation of such arrangements.

I think the above laws are on the basis of which the Ekweremadus are being convicted and awaiting sentencing.

But as I said before let us save the life of Sonia since Mr Ekpo has found new life at the detriment of a fellow Nigerian in faraway Britain. Inside me, I said how does he feel, laughing, jubilating or how? How altruistic, how truly joyful can he be with another languishing in jail, while he pops Champaign? But I bring you message and appeal from Sonia for assistance, for while Mr Ekpo and his cohorts gladiate and fight over the position of law on Ekpo’s organ, Sonia is still reeling in pain over kidney disease.

Sonia Ekweremadu, daughter of the embattled former Nigerian Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has appealed to members of the public to donate kidney to her.

Sonia, who took to her verified Instagram page on recently, said her present predicament was responsible for her father’s legal travails in the United Kingdom, a development that has complicated matters for her and the family.

In a post titled, ‘Appeal for Kidney Donation by Sonia Ekweremadu’, the 25-year-old UK based Sonia, said upon her recovery, she will dedicate her life helping people with similar kidney challenges.

Sonia wrote: “I, Sonia Ekweremadu, hereby appeal to the general public to come to my aid and save my life.

“I am 25 years old and a graduate of Media and Communications, University of Coventry. I dropped out of my post-graduate studies at the University of Newcastle in 2019 when I was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease, FSGS Nephrotic Syndrome. My family has battled to save my life and has taken me to various hospitals, but the illness persisted and kept degenerating. I am alive today by the special grace of God. I am presently in London, UK, receiving 5 Hours of dialysis 3-4 times a week.

 “This is at the expense of my family as I am not qualified for NHS due to my immigration status.

 “The last 3 years have been extremely challenging. The charges being faced by my parents in London presently, are directly connected to my illness and have complicated matter for me and my family.

 “I do not intend to delve into details of this unfortunate development as the matter is still in Court. I am however optimistic that the truth will prevail and it will end in praise to God.

 “In the circumstance above, I am appealing to anybody whom it may please to assist me willingly with a kidney donation in the name of God.

 “This appeal would have been utterly unnecessary as every member of my family is eager to donate their kidney to me, knowing that I would do the same for any of them. Regrettably, comprehensive medical examination showed that my case of nephrotic syndrome is a genetic illness and the doctors advised against donation from any of my family members, as it would likely reoccur.

 “Anybody that is moved by this appeal and wishes to donate his or her kidney to me may send an email to helpsonialive@gmail.com and include his or her name, phone number, email address and place of residence.

“Please, note that under the laws of England and Wales, organ donation must be purely driven by compassion and therefore no reward is involved.

“Finally, I have decided to commit and dedicate myself to helping people with the challenges of kidney disease, upon my full recovery.”

Nnaji, a media practitioner can be reached via newworld.news2017@gmail.com