A UK court has today, Friday, May 5, sentenced former deputy president of the Nigerian Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, to 9 years and 8 months in jail at the Old Baily in London, under the modern slavery act.
The verdict is the first of its kind under the Modern Slavery Act.
READ ALSO: Police arraign man over window, cement theft in Ekiti
Mr Justice Johnson told Mr. Ekweremadu and his wife Beatrice Ekweremadu:
“People-trafficking of human organs is a form of slavery. “It treats human beings and their body parts as commodities to be bought and sold. “It is a trade that preys on poverty, misery and desperation.”
Recall that Ekweremadu, his wife Beatrice and lawyer, Obeta were convicted of conspiracy to arrange the travel of a young Nigerian man who was identified as David Nwamini to Britain in order to exploit him for his kidney.
The organ was needed for Ekweremadu’s sick daughter, Sonia.
Their trial lasted for six weeks and conviction at the Old Bailey, London’s Central Criminal Court, is expected today.
Meanwhile, the prosecutor, Hugh Davies told the jury that the behaviour of Ekweremadu showed “entitlement, dishonesty and hypocrisy”.
Ekweremadu and wife, Beatrice denied the charge.
They denied any knowledge of the alleged conspiracy.
