David Nwamini, the alleged kidney donor in the organ trafficking case that sent 60-year-old Nigerian Senator Ike Ekweremadu to prison, has stated that he wishes to stay and work in the United Kingdom because he fears arrest or being killed if he returns to Nigeria.
A UK jury decided in March 2023 that Ekweremadu, his wife Beatrice, and a doctor named Obinna Obeta were guilty of criminal conspiracy for their role in bringing a 21-year-old Lagos street trader to London to take advantage of him for his kidney.
According to a report, the young man attempted to get doctors at London’s Royal Free Hospital to perform a $80,000 private surgery by posing as Sonia’s cousin. On Friday, they were all sentenced to jail time by a judge at London’s Old Bailey.
The judge gave Ekweremadu a sentence of nine years and eight months in jail, Beatrice a sentence of four years and six months, and the “middleman” doctor, Obeta, a 10-year sentence.
However, Ekweremadus daughter Sonia, who was also tried along with her parents despite being on dialysis, was found not guilty. She has a kidney condition called nephrotic syndrome, which causes excessive protein loss through urination.
“Dr. Obina Obeta did not tell me he brought me here for this reason. He did not tell me anything about this. I would not have agreed to any of this. My body is not for sale. I worry for my safety in Nigeria. Those people can do anything. I think they could arrest me or kill me in Nigeria. My plan now is to work, get an education, and play football,” David said.
