By Jude Chinedu, Enugu
Enugu South East, senatorial district of former Senate Deputy President Ike Ekweremadu was agog yesterday following the home return of his wife, Beatrice, who along with the senator was jailed in May 2023 for organ harvest by a court in the United Kingdom.
Similarly, Igbo leaders have expressed joy and relief noting that her freedom has reignited hope for the eventual release of her husband, who remains incarcerated over a controversial organ trafficking case.
Senator Ekweremadu, 60, Beatrice, 56, and Dr. Obinna Obeta, 50, were accused of conspiring to exploit a Nigerian hawker based in Lagos state for his kidney, the first of such cases under modern slavery laws.
Beatrice’s return to Nigeria has reignited hope for the eventual release of her husband, who remains incarcerated over a controversial organ trafficking case.
The Secretary General of the Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), Chief Abia Onyike, described the development as heartwarming.
“The ADF warmly welcomes the news of the return of Mrs. Ekweremadu. Her return is a wonderful development, and we wish her a happy reunion with her family members. The ADF also looks forward to the return of her husband, Ike Ekweremadu, in good health,” he said.
Former national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and erstwhile governor of Enugu State, Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo, also expressed joy over her release, noting that the release holds great significance for her children.
“I am happy for the children because one of the parents is now out to look after them,” Nwodo said.
The immediate past national publicity secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Alex Ogbonnia, commended the Ekweremadus for their positive contributions to Enugu State and the country.
“I want to thank God for His grace upon Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife. It’s jubilation galore throughout Enugu State because they used the opportunity they had to impact lives positively, which demonstrates their remarkable qualities.
“The husband, in particular, represented the people of Enugu West immeasurably, and not just Enugu West but Enugu State as a whole. We pray that he will return to Nigeria in no distant time to continue his good work,” Ogbonnia added.
Former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Enugu State, Chief Ugonna Ibe described the news as uplifting, adding that he looks forward to the release of Senator Ike Ekweremadu.
“It is a welcome development. We are all happy to receive the news. You know, temptation is part of life. I don’t have details of how the entire thing happened, but that is life. There are ups and downs.
“My prayer is that such a thing will not befall her or anyone in her family again. We also look forward to the release of her husband, Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu,” he said.
In Ekweremadus’ hometown of Mpu, Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, the atmosphere has been electric with celebration.
The release of Beatrice, who was convicted in May 2023 alongside her husband and a medical doctor, Obinna Obeta, was met with tears of joy and prayers for Ike’s release.
The councilor for Mpu Ward, Edwin Ogbuka likened the mood to a public holiday.
“The news was a cheerful one. The absence of Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife created a big gap in the community. We are not going to relent in our prayers until our hero and leader joins his family, and we trust what God can do. It’s a celebration galore,” Ogbuka said.
On his part, the President of the Mpu Town Federated Union, Chief Benjamin Chijioke, echoed the joy in the community.
“Our joy as Mpu people knows no bounds. It is a great day for us. Since morning, it has been jubilation and celebration in all the villages. People are shedding tears of joy, especially those who depended on the family’s philanthropic disposition to survive.
“Today is our Orie market day, and the whole market was agog with celebration. We thank God and also pray that He will intervene so that our illustrious son and leader, Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu, will join his family soonest.
“I don’t know what to say again because their absence has brought a huge setback to the community. We missed them a lot, but we thank God for everything,” Chijioke said.
Beatrice was convicted alongside her husband for allegedly trafficking a street hawker from Lagos to the UK allegedly under false pretenses to donate an organ for their ailing daughter, Sophia.
While Ike received a 10-year sentence, Beatrice was sentenced to six years, despite concerns raised about her health.
They were accused of conspiring to exploit a hawker based in Lagos State for his kidney, the first of such cases under modern slavery laws.
During the trial, the judge described Senator Ekweremadu as the “driving force throughout” and sentenced him to nine years and eight months in prison.
Dr. Obeta was sentenced to 10 years after the judge found out that he was the person who brought the potential donor, a young, poor and vulnerable street hawker resident in Lagos state. Beatrice was sentenced for four years and six months as her involvement was considered more limited.
Beatrice and her husband landed in prison after UK police arrested them along with Obeta, for plotting to arrange an illegal organ transplant.
The trio were said to have brought 21-year-old street hawker from Nigeria to London as a kidney donor for Ekweremadu’s daughter, Sonia who required a kidney transplant.
The Ekweremadus became the first ever case after the United Kingdom passed its modern day slavery laws, thus being used to experiment with the law.
According to UK authorities the convicts took the victim to the UK in 2022 with an offer of £7,000 and promise of opportunities in the UK.
The victim was to provide his kidney for £80,000 private transplant at the Royal Free Hospital in London. The authorities said it was only when the victim met the hospital doctors that he realised what the deal was.
It was alleged that the defendants tried to convince the medical personnel at the Royal Free Hospital that the victim was Sonia’s cousin, who was ill no well and needed to have dialysis every week. This is even though Sonia and the victim had no relations.
Rather, it was the desire of the victim to study and work in the UK that made him agree to medical tests in Lagos as well as meetings with doctors in London. He was told that the medical test was required for him to receive a UK visa during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The secret dawned on the victim after he met the doctors of the Royal Free Hospital in London who were discussing kidney transplant. He told the court that if he had known the real reason for bringing him to London, he would have rejected the offer. In the statement he gave in 2023, he said: “I cannot go back home to Nigeria”, as “the accused are very powerful people and I fear for my safety.”