By Tosin Olatokunbo
Detained former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, had the sum of $20,000 on him when he and his wife, Nwanneka, were arrested at the Heathrow Airport, London on Tuesday.
It has also been revealed that they were on their way to Turkey for a new donor when they found out that the earlier arrangement with the 15 year- old boy has failed because the Royal Free Hospital found out he was underage, and refused to go on with the proceedings.
Apparently, the Ekweremadus knew the arrangement had failed before they left Nigeria for London. To pay to a new donor, it is speculated, must be why they were carrying the sum of $20,000 on them. What is not known is if they knew that the boy had ran away and reported his fate to the Police because, according to reports from the Court, the family he was kept with had, allegedly, started maltreating him.
It is not known why the family started to treat him badly, but speculation, again, is that they may have found he was no use to the Ekweremadus since he told the hospital his real age, which necessitated his rejection by the hospital.
The questions are: Between the boy and the Royal Free Hospital, who tipped off the Police? Was it the hospital, on finding out his age? Or, was it the boy on finding out that he was no longer of use to the Ekweremadus and could be taken back to Nigeria?
However, Senator Ekweremadu, in a letter he wrote to the Visa section of the British High Commission, Abuja, had informed them of the boy’s trip and why and what he was going to London to do.
The letter dated December 28, 2021, reads:
“Dear Sir/Madam
“RE-MEDICAL VISION APPLICATION FOR UKPO NWAMINI DAVID
“I am writing in support of the visa application made by Mr Ukpo Nwamini David who is currently having medical investigations for a kidney donation to Ms Sonia Ekweremadu.
“David and Sonia will be at the Royal Free Hospital, London, and I will be providing the necessary funding. I have enclosed a statement of my bank account.
“Please, do not hesitate to contact me if you require additional information.
“Please, accept the assurances of my highest regards.
“Yours faithfully,
“SENATOR IKE EKWEREMADU, PhD, CFR.”
The question, however, is: Did the 15 year old boy consent to the donation of his organ to Ekweremadu’s daughter? Following are the steps and rules for organ donation in the United Kingdom.
Organ Donor in the UK
“While it is legal to donate organs in the UK, the donor must be related to the recipient and above 18.
“The donor must consent.
“The donor must not receive any form of payment as an organ donor.
“While in rare cases, a non-relative can donate an organ. However, You must prove beyond all justifications why a non-relative is desirous to donate an organ to you and not another person with kidney failure. What gesture have you or your family extended to the donor in the past?”
Those who know say the the list of those in need of organs are in the thousands.
Insisted one of the sources:
“The UK NHS uses an organ register and more than 8000 are on the waiting list. This allows living or a deceased donor to freely donate organs without even knowing the recipient. That’s what they consider altruistic.
“Any other way is “considered” an organ harvest and it’s a crime, especially if they have obtained an oral interview from the “child donor” and she confessed “daddy and mummy” asked me to do it.
“This is why it is a dicey situation and very complicated. Ike Ekweremadu and his wife are in a serious issue.”
So, the question: Was this boy out to dupe the Ekweremadus?
It has been alleged that he deliberately went to seek asylum when he knew the deal was off. The allegations are: (a) Either he changed his mind and decided to be smart and seek for asylum, or (b)The organs did not match and he decided to stay on in the UK by seeking asylum.
But another question: Would the Ekweremadus risk sending him to the UK if they did not confirm that the organs would match, especially, as he travelled with their daughter?
A source close to them said the boy was out to dupe them and had planned to seek asylum.
In a post on the Social Media, one Ikem Okuhu, apparently close to the Ekweremadus wrote:
Facts On The Ike Ekweremadu Matter
- Ike Ekweremadu wasn’t involved in any organ trafficking.
- He has a daughter who needs a transplant.
3.A willing donor was seen in Nigeria and preparations were made.
4.Ike Ekweremadu did write to the British High Commission explaining the situation.
5.The donor travelled to the UK with the patient.
- The donor is a 21 year old man, and not a girl as many are writing.
7.He is not a minor.
- As it happened, the organ did not even match.
- Not wanting to return to Nigeria, the donor went to report that he was trafficked to London for possible organ harvest, believing same would guarantee him asylum.
That’s the other perspective. I will update as I obtain more information.
When the Ekweremadus appeared at the Uxbridge Magistrate Court on Thursday, they were refused bail on the excuse that they are flight risks, even though, as pointed out, and pleaded by their defence Counsels, they had submitted all their travel documents.
The case is adjourned to July 7, 2022.
