Beatrice Ekweremadu, wife of former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has been released from a United Kingdom prison and has returned to Nigeria.

Mrs. Ekweremadu, who was sentenced to five years in prison by a UK court, was convicted alongside her husband, Senator Ekweremadu, and a medical doctor, Dr. Obinna Obeta, on charges related to organ harvesting.

The landmark case drew significant international attention.

A reliable source, confirmed that Mrs. Ekweremadu arrived in Nigeria on Tuesday and is currently in Abuja.

The Ekweremadus were arrested in June 2022 after a young Nigerian, David Nwamini, alleged he was coerced into donating his kidney to their ailing daughter.

The case culminated in a UK court sentencing Senator Ekweremadu to nine years and eight months in prison, while Dr. Obeta received a 10-year sentence.

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Obinna Obeta, Ike Ekweremadu, and Beatrice Ekweremadu, you have each been convicted of conspiracy to commit an offence of human trafficking. You brought a young man to London to exploit him. The exploitation was the proposed donation of a kidney in return for a reward, the reward being money and a chance to work in the United Kingdom. (Sentencing Remarks of Mr. Justice Johnson, Central Criminal Court, 5 May 2023).

The conviction of Nigeria’s former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, his wife Beatrice Ekweremadu, and Obinna Obeta in London over conspiracy to commit an offence of human trafficking (organ trafficking) has elicited reactions from individuals, social-political groups, and religious organisations. But there is nothing that they have said that Mr. Justice Johnson of the Central Criminal Court didn’t capture in his sentencing remarks. The Justice expressed pity on the Ekweremadus who have a daughter, Sonia, who needs a kidney transplant or stays on dialysis for the rest of her life due to her FSGS nephrotic syndrome. Justice Johnson said, “Everybody has enormous sympathy for her (Sonia) and for the impact on you (the parents) of seeing your daughter’s suffering….”. However, what we often time overlook in our clime is justice from the perspective of the victim of crime. We cannot pity one person with an ailing daughter and overlook the other person, whose body part is being commodified. Is he a lesser human being because he is poor? This boy is human, with parents and family who also hope that their son’s hustle on Lagos streets will yield a return one day. What interests me in this case as a sociologist with a bias for criminology and victimology is the general concern of the UK law to protect the weak against the strong. Will this boy have escaped if it happened in Nigeria?

The UK Justice was sensitive to the power imbalance and how the vulnerability of the boy may have been exploited for the gains of the Ekweremadus. Justice Johnson said: “Sonia’s uncle, Diwe Ekweremadu, knew Obinna Obeta from medical school. He got in touch. Obinna Obeta offered to help find a donor. A possible donor was identified. By law, his name may not be published. I will call him C. He grew up in a village where he had no electricity or running water. He left school at the age of 15. He went to Lagos, where he sold phone accessories from a wheelbarrow in a market. Furthermore, he was earning approximately 3,500 Naira a day, equivalent to about £7. Tests in Nigeria indicated that his blood group was the same as Sonia’s. He agreed to come to the UK. He did not at any point agree to donate a kidney to Sonia altruistically. There was no reason why he should do so. He was not related to your family. He did not know Sonia or any other member of your family. Nothing was put in place to secure his future healthcare needs if he donated a kidney. The wealth and power inequality and disparity between you and C could not be more marked. You, Ike Ekweremadu, are a senator in Nigeria’s National Assembly. You have held high political office. Not only that, but you had many staff members, including domestic staff, chefs, maids, and drivers. Likewise, you own multiple properties across the globe – there is evidence of as many as 40. More than £400,000 went into your bank account over 6 months. By contrast, C was unable to afford the £25 fare to travel from Lagos to Abuja. You each conspired together to bring C to the UK to exploit him. You all knew that was unlawful. Likewise, you, Ike Ekweremadu, had been part of the legislature that had introduced the law that made that conduct a criminal offence in Nigeria”. Here, Justice showed how power, influence, and structure on one side were deployed to manipulate a boy impoverished and hopeless on the other side. The social context within which the victim grew up is related to bad governance in Nigeria. He dropped out of school and, sadly, the conspirators did not make provision for his aftercare if he donated his kidney. How much is the life of a poor boy worth in the hands of the powerful?

But there are lessons to learn from the system in the United Kingdom as against our system which ‘sacrifices’ the poor for the rich, or considers the poor as dangerous for society but pampers and venerates the exploitative cabals. In the UK, the law exists to protect the poor against the manipulation of the powerful and the influential. The London system is however not fraud or corruption proof as the whole conspiracy process involved a corrupt relationship established with one of the staff in the Hospital to be used, and the court held that Senator Ekweremadu was instrumental in setting up that corrupt relationship and controlling it. The former Senator will be behind bars for nine years and eight months, his wife for four years and six months, and Obina Obeta for 10 years.

The sentence has a deterrence function and has generated more awareness.

The hospital approached by Ekweremadus followed ethical protocol to establish if the victim understood what he was brought to do in London. The police decided to help protect the vulnerable and the collaborators were arrested, prosecuted, and convicted. We must ensure that the weak are protected against the strong and should not allow the power wielders to prey on the vulnerability of the weak. In this case, the convicted rationalized their actions, determined the cost and benefit of their actions, and got the unintended consequences of their intended actions. The good news is that Sonia has indicated that chances are now higher to get an altruistic donor within the UK system.

In a few days, a new administration will come on board in Nigeria. It will be important for the Bola Tinubu administration to reduce the level of poverty in Nigeria, reduce the number of out-of-school children, and make institutions work. It is also significant for the incoming president to ensure that Nigeria has a functional health system that is good enough to treat him (the president), the governors, and other politically exposed individuals so we can keep our money at home and develop health infrastructures. This will also guarantee that ordinary Nigerians will have access to functional health systems, well positioned with motivated personnel and equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. If the next president sustains London health tourism, no lessons would have been learned. If we make education work in Nigeria, Nigerian children will not be caught up in Ukraine-Russia and Sudan wars that cost us fortunes to bring them back home. We need to act altruistically while in power because we can be victims of what we failed to do when out of office. President-elect Bola Tinubu, lofty heights are only attainable in a nation where peace and justice are allowed to reign. It’s now your turn to make Nigeria work.

Dr. Tade, a sociologist, sent this piece via dotad2003@yahoo.com

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A judge at The Central Criminal Court, also known as the Old Bailey, has sentenced former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, his wife Beatrice, and Doctor Obinna Obeta to jail.

At a sentencing hearing on Friday, Ekweremadu was jailed for nine years and eight months, while his wife, Beatrice, was sentenced to four years and six months imprisonment and Obeta received a 10-year prison term.

The sentencing follows their conviction in March for organ trafficking. The Ekweremadus’ sick daughter, Sonia, was cleared of any wrongdoing.

The three, according to the court, were found guilty after arranging or facilitating a young Nigerian man’s travel into the United Kingdom in a bid to obtain his kidney on behalf of Sonia.

The jury declared that Ekweremadu, his wife, and their doctor criminally conspired to bring the 21-year-old Lagos street trader to London to exploit him for his kidney.

The conviction is the first under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act 2015.

The sentencing comes after pleas from multiple prominent personalities and institutions, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Other petitioners included both chambers of the National Assembly; the Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa; and the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC).

The charges were preferred on the Ekweremadus on June 23, 2022, when their arrest was announced. Obeta was later arraigned on July 13, 2022. While his wife was granted bail, the senator was refused.

After months of a pre-trial, the trial commenced on January 31, 2023, and lasted about six weeks, culminating in a guilty verdict against Ekweremadu, Beatrice, and Obeta.

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In a statement by its national publicity secretary, Kola Ologbondinya, the party also named the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Mallam Sule Lamido and Senator Ahmed Makarfi as Technical Advisers too.

The PDP also named Lamido as the chairman of Elder’s Council for the campaign.

Other appointments made on Monday include: Alhaji Kawu Baraje, Technical Adviser to the Director-General of the campaign, Senator Bukola Saraki, while Dr. Doyin Okupe was named the Media Adviser to the Director-General.

Ekweremadu had been rumoured to be secretly working with the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari.

But, in his series of tweets on his official Twitter handle Monday morning, Ekweremadu described the rumour as “cheap blackmail” and “propaganda”, vowing to ensure the PDP coasts to victory in the entire South-East region of the country.

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He pledged that the Federal Government would sustain the support to the South-East in terms of infrastructure.
‘‘I assure you that we are doing our best and will not default on the agreements signed on ongoing projects,’’ the President told the delegation, led by Deputy Senate President Ekweremadu.

He explained that part of the noticeable problems in the delay in the execution of the capital projects was caused by the budget hold-up.
He said: ‘‘When you sign, and you don’t pay, they (contractors) can legally jerk up their costs. This is part of the problem.
‘‘The infrastructure budget is a deficit budget. The borrowing plan was only approved three weeks ago and all ministers and departments of government have been instructed to forge ahead. We must not find excuses for delaying the projects.

‘‘Developing infrastructure is the best thing we can do. When the roads are okay, the rails are established and there is power, Nigerians will flourish in their businesses.’’

On the undulating surface of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, the President assured that it would be addressed in the new budget.

He also spoke of government’s serious interest in the new Port-Harcourt-Maiduguri standard gauge railway which traverses several states, including those in the South East.
President Buhari was accompanied to the meeting by the Secretary to the Government, Boss Mustapha and some cabinet ministers, including that of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola.

The president responded from point to point on all the issues raised by the governors, to their satisfaction.
The Minister of Transportation gave assurance that this project, the single most costly rail project at 12 billion dollars, would soon be coming to the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

The Ministers were directed to follow up with the private sector on key projects in the region, including the South East Dry Port and the Geometric Power Plant in Aba, to untangle the problems causing their delayed take-off.

On behalf of the Governors, Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi said they came specifically to thank the President for the award of the contract for the major component of the second Niger Bridge at the cost of N206 billion.

‘‘The project is the dream of our people and it has become a dream come true. Our people said we must come and thank you. Your Excellency, Mr President we are grateful Sir,’’ he said.
While enumerating some challenges confronting the Governors to the President, Umahi said: ‘‘out of mutual respect, we have come to you as a caring leader to listen to us.’’
Other governors on the delegation were Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr Nkem Okeke.

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The lawmaker made this disclosure in an interview with newsmen at the National Assembly.

Senator Ibrahim, who is a member of the Pro-Saraki group, also protested the invasion of the National Assembly by officers of the Department of State Services, DSS, and the Police Force.

He said, “I can authoritatively tell you that those senators behind the desecration of the National Assembly collected $1m each to impeach the Senate President and his Deputy. You can quote me anywhere on this.”

In a related development, another prominent member of the Pro-Saraki group, Senator Dino Melaye representing Kogi West district, accused the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, of collecting signatures of lawmakers with the aim of effecting a leadership change in the upper chamber of the National Assembly.

Melaye, while bringing his colleagues up to speed on the plot by members of the PSG, said the APC National Chairman was in a meeting with pro-Buhari senators to collect signatures for Saraki and Ekweremadu’s impeachment.

“The Chairman of APC is currently meeting with some APC Senators. As I speak, we understand he is collecting signature for the Senate President’s impeachment.

“We also understand that after collecting the signatures they will be proceeding to the National Assembly to carry out their plan. We are waiting for them,” the lawmaker asserted.

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This followed the seige at the National Assembly on Tuesday.

In the list obtained by DAILY POST, the Senators said they will resist any illegal change of leadership of the Senate.

However, Senator Ben Bruce has revealed plans to move against those he called “anti-democratic” agents.

He said this while condemning the invasion of the National Assembly by security agencies.

DAILY POST had reported the massive reinforcement at the entry, exit and within the premises.

The lawmaker vowed that he and his collagues (pro-Saraki Senators), would report President Muhamadu Buhari, Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police, among others to the international community.

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He also said that by the recent development, PDP is the fastest growing political party in Africa.

Ekweremadu, in a statement issued in Enugu, his home state, said, “What the nation witnessed in the last few days, being the defection of scores of federal lawmakers and the return of the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, to the PDP was “a tip of the iceberg”.

He added, “Spirits have been high within the PDP family and Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, for sometime now, especially following the joining and rejoining of the PDP and the coalition by scores of National and State Assembly Members as well as the Governor of Benue State.

“We are happy for this. But I have good news for you. Nigerians have only witnessed a tip of the iceberg. More are on their way because it is no longer about anybody’s individual political ambition. It is now a movement to rescue Nigeria. So, we are not only the biggest political party, we are also the fastest growing political party in Africa today.

“I want to assure you that so many respected Nigerians have also keyed into this movement to rescue Nigeria because the world is now very worried for our nation.

“So, in a matter of months, Nigerians will go to the polls to enthrone a new order of peace, unity, security, and respect for the rule of law.”

Ekweremadu spoke after the inauguration of the Agwu Local Government chapter of the Gburugburu Movement, which champions the re-election of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
He also assured the Governor of Enugu State of the total support of the entire Enugu West Senatorial District, adding that not only would nobody from the district contest against the Governor, but the people of the zone would obtain the party’s nomination form for the Governor at the right time.

“Not long ago, the entire Enugu West Senatorial District gathered here to endorse Governor Ugwuanyi for a second term. So, we can only say that we remain committed to that decision. He has done very well and deserves a second, straight term in office,” the Deputy Senate President affirmed.

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According to him, single tenure Presidency would deepen democracy and good governance in the continent.

Ekweremadu spoke while delivering a lecture entitled: ‘Constitutionalism and the Challenges of Leadership in Africa:an Evaluation of Tested Models’ on Tuesday.

The event was organised by the Centre for Media and Peace Initiatives, a New York-based international NGO to mark its 10th anniversary.

“My advocacy is a more modest proposal which seeks not the abandonment of the presidential system per se but the re-designing of term limits for political chief executives.

“This is in order to reduce the acrimonious conflict, divisiveness and instability arising from partisan or factional competition for executive offices in the federation.

“I support the proposals to transform the current tenure of two four-year terms into a single term of five or six years.

“Among other advertised benefits, single terms would avoid the distractions, manipulations and divisiveness of re-election campaigns while facilitating a more rapid circulation or rotation of power among the various groups”, he said.

According to him, a single term of four years is also less costly as it will reduce the cost of conducting general elections every four years.

Ekweremadu urged Nigeria and other African countries to learn from the failures and successes of older democracies, particularly, the Latin American democracies.

He noted that many of the Latin Americans transited from autocratic regimes to democracies, discovering that the politics of succession, including incumbents’ penchant for self-perpetuation, was overheating the system.

As a solution, they adopted the single term presidency until such a time their respective democracies matured and stabilised, he said.

“It is for this reason that the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, which I chair, felt, in 2014, that a single term would serve the ends of our current democracy.

“Unfortunately, the recommendation failed because ethnic suspicions and parochial interests prevented reasonable and good faith evaluation of our worthy proposal,” he said

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Ekweremadu had raised the hope that the issue of restructuring and indeed, Devolution of Power which did not see the light of day during the last Constitutional Amendment process by the National Assembly would be revisited.

According to him, efforts were on to build consensus around some of the failed bills, especially the bill on devolution of powers, with a view to revisiting it to unbundle and make the Federal Government more efficient.

He met with the Forum at the Presidential Villa Thursday night, intimating them that of the 33 bills on the proposed amendments, 21 were passed by the Senate and House of Representatives, while 12 failed.

On the concerns that it would be an aberration of federalism for State Houses of Assembly and the Local Governments to draw revenues directly from the Federation Account, Ekweremadu explained that amendments towards financial autonomy for both only seeks to alter Section 162 of the Constitution to abrogate the State Joint Local Government Accounts and create the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State from which all allocations due to the Local Government Councils and the State Assemblies shall be directly paid from the Federation Account.

He said the proposed amendments would guarantee the democratic existence, funding, and tenure of local government councils.

He said that financial autonomy for Local Governments would not return primary education to the era of unpaid salaries.

He explained that although education remained the constitutional responsibilities of the Local Governments, provisions have been made to deduct from the source the monthly financial obligations of the Local Governments to primary education for remission into the account of state agencies overseeing basic education.

The lawmaker further maintained that altering Section 134 and 179of the Constitution would avail the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, sufficient time for INEC to conduct bye-elections; and section 225 to empower it to de-register political parties was not total.

“INEC’s power to deregister parties will apply strictly to non-fulfillment of certain conditions such as breach of registration requirements and failure to secure/win either a Presidential, Governorship, Local Government chairmanship or a seat in the National or State Assembly or a Councillorship seat.

“Bill No. 10, seeks to alter sections 58, 59 and 100 only seeks to resolve the usual situation where the President or Governor neglects to signify his/her assent to or veto of a bill from the legislature.

“So, the President or Governor will now have 30 days to signify his/her assent/veto rather than keep everyone in endless suspense, while passed bills gather dust in the shelf. In the United States, the Constitution provides for only two weeks. So, the intent is to enable timely passage of laws for good governance”.

On Bill No. 4, which seeks to set a timeframe of 30 days for the President and Governors to nominate the Ministers and Commissioners along with their proposed respective portfolios, he maintained that the 1999 Constitution did not envisage a situation where some governments would run without cabinet for months or years.

“It will also serve the nation better if members of the National Assembly can screen nominees based on specific portfolios. That way, we are able to ascertain their suitability as we see in developed democracies like the United States”, he added.

Ekweremadu allayed the fears that independent candidacy could make the electoral process cumbersome, noting that INEC would, by law, set the modalities for qualification as an independent candidate.

Ekweremadu said that Bill No. 16seeks to restrict a person who was sworn-in as President or Governor to only completing the term of the elected President or Governor from contesting for the same office for more than one term.

On Bill No. 21, he explained that the successful amendment of the Constitution in 2010, which set the timeframe for the determination of election petitions, had greatly improved the nation’s electoral system, hence the need to replicate it in the area of pre-election disputes.

Meanwhile, he said the National Assembly had not given up to the proposed amendments of Second Schedule, Part I & II to move certain items, such as railway and power, to the Concurrent Legislative List to give more legislative powers to States.

“Besides making governance difficult, concentration of so much power at the centre fuels the struggle for federal power. We believe that devolving some power to the States will improve good governance and also make the centre less attractive”, Ekweremadu stressed.

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