Nigerian politician Ike Ekweremadu has been sentenced to 9 years in prison in the UK after being found guilty of involvement in an international organ trafficking plot. Ekweremadu, who is a former Deputy Senate President and member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was convicted by a UK court on Wednesday.
According to court documents, Ekweremadu was involved in a criminal network that trafficked organs from vulnerable people in Africa to wealthy clients in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The network was reportedly responsible for the disappearance of dozens of people who were lured to Europe with promises of work and then forced to undergo surgery to have their organs removed.
Ekweremadu was arrested in London in 2019 following a joint operation between UK and Nigerian authorities. He denied the charges against him but was found guilty after a lengthy trial.
In addition to his prison sentence, Ike Ekweremadu has been ordered to pay compensation to the victims of the organ trafficking network. The exact amount of compensation has not yet been determined. Ekweremadu was jailed alongside his wife and family doctor.
The case has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political establishment, with many people expressing disbelief that a high-ranking official could be involved in such a heinous crime. Ekweremadu’s PDP party has released a statement condemning the verdict and calling for a fair and transparent appeal process.
The UK government has praised the cooperation between UK and Nigerian authorities in bringing Ike Ekweremadu to justice, saying that the case sends a strong message that organ trafficking will not be tolerated. The case is also likely to lead to increased scrutiny of the global organ trade and the need for stronger laws and regulations to prevent exploitation and abuse.
