Categories: News

Ekweremadu: Nigerian organ donor plot victim begged police for help, court told

A Nigerian market trader allegedly trafficked to London to provide a kidney walked into a police station and begged for help, a court has heard.

The 21-year-old is alleged to have been the victim of a failed plot for him to donate the body part to a Nigerian politician’s daughter.

Advertisement

He slept rough for three nights before turning up at Staines police station last May, the Old Bailey was told.

Ike Ekweremadu denies breaking modern slavery laws.

Advertisement

The 60-year-old is accused of organising for the man to travel to London and pay him to provide a kidney for his daughter, who requires a transplant.

His wife Beatrice, 56, daughter Sonia, 25, and associate Obinna Obeta, 50, also deny conspiring to arrange or facilitate the travel of the young man to Britain with a view to his exploitation.

Advertisement

The Old Bailey has heard that the proposed donor, who cannot be named for legal reasons, ran away after doctors at the Royal Free Hospital decided he was not a suitable candidate.

In body-worn footage shown to jurors, the man appears to be crying and distressed when he walked into the police station.

Advertisement

“I don’t know anywhere, I don’t know where I am. I was sleeping three days outside around, looking for someone to help me, save my life,” he can he heard saying.

He told the receptionist he had been brought into the country by a man he met in Lagos, the court heard.

Advertisement

“He carried me to hospital to remove my kidneys. The doctor said I was too young but the man said if you do not do it here he would carry me back to Nigeria and do it there,” he said.

Ike Ekweremadu has been a senator in Nigeria since 2003

Previously, the court has heard that he came from a village in Nigeria and was allegedly recruited by Dr Obeta while selling phone accessories from a wheelbarrow in Lagos.

He told jurors he thought he was being brought to the UK to work and only found out it was for him to donate a kidney when he visited the Royal Free Hospital.

Advertisement

The young man told jurors he was “shocked”, felt like crying, and that “nobody told me about kidney transplant”.

He claimed he was told he had to go ahead with the operation in exchange for 1.2 million naira (about £2,000), jurors were told.

Advertisement

When he ran away, the court heard, he initially set off on foot from London, not knowing where he was.

The trial continues.

Advertisement
Oluchi Nzekwe

Recent Posts

Why Seyi Tinubu Can’t Be Lagos Governor- Igbokwe

A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has said Seyi Tinubu, son…

9 hours ago

Simon Ekpa Not Our Member, Should Not Be Associated With Us- IPOB

IPOB PRESS RELEASE 22/11/2024 SIMON EKPA IS NOT AN IPOB MEMBER AND MUST NOT BE…

12 hours ago

NEWSPAPER HEADLINES FOR FRIDAY 22ND NOVEMBER 2024

NEWSPAPER HEADLINES FOR FRIDAY 22ND NOVEMBER 2024. *PUNCH* Gombe begins N28bn Assembly, high court complexes…

13 hours ago

My husband assaulted me, ruined my career – Olajumoke Onibread

Former bread seller turned model, Olajumoke Orisaguna, popularly known as Olajumoke Onibread, has opened up…

15 hours ago

“I did not punch Akpabio” – Senator Bamidele speaks on alleged fight with Senate President

Senate Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele has denies reports that he was involved in a fight…

16 hours ago

Speaker Obasa Clarifies Negative Perceptions As Sanwo-Olu Presents 2025 Budget

– says lawmakers united to meet yearnings of Lagosians – accuses detractors of peddling news…

16 hours ago