A UK court convicted the former deputy president of the Nigerian Senate on Friday. Ike Ekweremadunine years and eight months in prison.
The court sentenced Mr. Eweremadu’s wife, Beatrice, to four years and six months in prison, while the doctor who allegedly joined them, Obinna Obeta, was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
PREMIUM TIMES reports that the Nigerian politician and two others were found guilty of organ trafficking but sentencing has been postponed until today. A 21-year-old Nigerian man was allegedly acquired and flown to the UK with the intention of removing a kidney from his ailing daughter.
Mr. Eweremadu, according to the BBC, was described by the judge as the perpetrator of the crime. His wife received a lesser sentence for her more limited involvement, the judge ruled.
ALSO READ: Organ Trafficking: Senate urges UK Government to pardon Eweremadu
During a televised sentencing hearing, the judge, Justice Johnson, said he considered “a 51-page document” urging Mr. Ekweremadu to calm down and highlighting how he is a person of good character.
The Nigerian parliament and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, among others, called for leniency on Ekweremadus.
More details later…
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