David Nwamini, the intended kidney donor in the organ trafficking case that led to the imprisonment of Senator Ike Ekweremadu, 60, stated in his impact statement that he desired to stay and work in the UK, as he feared being arrested or killed in Nigeria.
His statement was read in court during the sentencing of Ekweremadu, his wife Beatrice, 56, and the middleman doctor, Obinna Obeta, 51, who were sentenced to 10 years and 8 months, 4 years and 6 months, and 10 years, respectively, after being found guilty of conspiring to arrange the travel of a young man for the purpose of exploiting him for his body part.
The donor was sourced and brought to the UK for the 25-year-old daughter of the Ekweremadus, Sonia, who has a severe kidney disease.
David claimed that he was presented with an opportunity to work in the UK, which was a long-held dream that he thought would never materialize.
“He (Dr Obina 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 to any of this. My body is not for sale.
“I worry for my safety in Nigeria. Those people can do anything. I think they could arrest me or kill me in Nigeria.
“My plan now is to work and to get an education and to play football,” David said, adding that he does not want to claim compensation from the “bad people” as it would be “cursed and bad luck”.
Additionally, Nwamini revealed that someone had visited his father in Nigeria and asked him to convince him to drop the case, further highlighting the pressure and intimidation he faced.
While it is legal to donate a kidney, any form of compensation or reward for the organ donation is considered a criminal offense.
The Ekweremadus were apprehended on June 21, 2021, upon their arrival at Heathrow Airport, as part of the investigation into the organ trafficking case.
