By Seyi Babalola
The youngster at the centre of the arrest and prosecution of former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, David Nwamini, has voiced his desire to remain in the United Kingdom.
In the organ trafficking case, the would-be kidney donor made the request in his impact statement, which was read aloud in court during the sentencing.
In his testimony, David, 21, described how he was contacted with an opportunity to work in the United Kingdom, something he had always desired.
“He (Obeta) did not tell me he brought me here for this reason. He did not tell me anything about this. I would have not agreed. My body is not for sale.
“I worry for my safety in Nigeria. I think they could arrest me or kill me in Nigeria. My plan now is to work, get an education, and play football,” he said.
The citizen added that he does not want to claim any compensation from the “bad people” as it would be “cursed and bad luck.”
The former Senate President who clocks 61 on May 12, his wife Beatrice, 56, and the doctor-middleman, Obinna Obeta, 51, were jailed today in London.
The trio were sentenced to 10 years and 8 months, 4 years and six months, and 10 years after they were found guilty at the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey).
“In each of your cases, the offence you committed is so serious that neither a fine nor a community sentence can be justified”, Justice Johnson said.
The Ekweremadus were embroiled in controversy over the circumstances surrounding an organ donation for their 25-year-old daughter, Sonia, who suffers from severe kidney illness.
David was to be honoured with an £80,000 private surgery at London’s Royal Free Hospital for making the contribution to Sonia.
It is allowed in the United Kingdom to donate a kidney for monetary or material gain. The maximum penalty for the offence is life in prison.
The verdict issued on Friday is the first in an organ-harvesting conspiracy case prosecuted under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act of 2015.
Metropolitan Police’s Modern Slavery and Exploitation Command officer, Detective Inspector Esther Richardson hailed the “landmark conviction” and thanked David for his “bravery”.
