Three people, including a man from Southwark, have been found guilty of the plot to remove a vulnerable Nigerian victim’s kidney without his knowledge and keep him as a “slave”.

This prosecution is the first of its kind in the United Kingdom.

Three people were found guilty today (Thursday, March 23), at the Old Bailey of the first offence of human trafficking for the purpose of organ harvesting in London after a six-week trial.

Obinna Obeta, of Hillbeck Close in Southwark, was found guilty of conspiracy to arrange and facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation – namely organ harvesting.

The 51-year-old was described as the medical middleman in the case.

Nigerian Senator Ike Ekweremadu, 60, and his wife Beatrice Nwanneka Ekweremadu, 56, who both reside in Abuja, Nigeria, were found guilty of the same offences.

They will all be sentenced at the same court at a later date.

A man who is around 21-years-old from a remote village in Nigera was deceived into being trafficked to the UK and was led to believe he was being brought to the UK to earn money for his family.

However, the real intentions included having his kidney removed and donated to Sonia Ekweremadu.

He was given a passport and medical travel Visa for travel.

He was taken for blood tests in Nigeria which he believed were for his Visa requirements, but these tests were actually to check that he was a medically suitable match to Sonia Ekweremadu.

On February 20, 2022, he was brought to the UK along with Isaac Onwudiwe Ekweremadu, and taken to Obeta's flat in Southwark Two days later on February 24 he attended his first medical screening at the Royal Free Hospital and the doctor realised that the victim did not have a good understanding of why he was there.

After several appointments, the victim realised he was there to donate a kidney and the doctor noticed the fear and panic this caused the victim leading the hospital to refuse to complete the procedure.

He returned to Obeta’s flat in Southwark and said that “the mood in the property had changed significantly” and he was treated as a slave.

He fled the home a few days later and became homeless for around three days.

On May 5, 2022, he walked into Staines Police Station and stated: “I don’t know anywhere, I don’t know where I am. I was sleeping three days outside around, for someone to help me, save my life.”

Police have reported that the man is still being safeguarded and will be given future support.

An investigation was launched to learn about how he had ended up in London and the reasons why.

Officers found that Obeta’s mobile phone contained evidence of his extensive involvement in these plans.

They also discovered an application for a six-month Visa for the victim which read: “Senator Ike Ekweremadu is sponsoring my medical treatment to enable me to donate an organ to Sonia Ekweremadu in Royal Free Hospital, London, UK.

“I would be donating an organ to my closest cousin (Sonia) in appreciation for her sacrifices towards me, my family and community.

“I am willing to put my life on the line for her to live and continue her good service to humanity.”

The Ekweremadus’ paid a health tourism company in the UK to facilitate the medical arrangements between the Ekweremadus’ and the Royal Free Hospital, initially paying £10,000 for the start-up fee but the total required would be in excess of £80,000.

On June 21, 2022, detectives arrested Ike and Beatrice Ekweremadu at Heathrow Airport and then on July, 12 2022, Obeta was arrested at his home.

Sonia Ekweremadu was also charged as above by postal charge requisition.

Detective inspector Esther Richardson, said: “This shows the Met’s commitment to tackle exploitation in all its forms and we can only succeed by working with partners both in the UK and overseas.

“I would also like to thank our colleagues in the CPS, the Human Tissue Authority and other partners who have worked so hard with us.

“We do understand the challenges and no two cases are the same. Teams within the Met’s Modern Slavery Command understand this and we will ensure victims are supported, signposted and safeguarded with the help of partners.

“Modern slavery is all around us. We need the public’s help in identifying potential victims of trafficking and exploitation to bring offenders to justice and protect the vulnerable.”

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Leading investigating officer, Detective Inspector Esther Richardson, from the Met’s Modern Slavery and Child Exploitation team, said: “This conviction sends out a clear message across the world, the UK will not tolerate the international industry in illegal organ removal.

“We could not have achieved this conviction without the help of one man, the victim survivor. I commend him for his utmost bravery.”

Joanne Jakymec, Chief Crown Prosecutor, said: “This was an horrific plot to exploit a vulnerable victim by trafficking him to the UK for the purpose of transplanting his kidney.

“The defendants showed utter disregard for the victim’s welfare, health and well-being and used their considerable influence to a high degree of control throughout, with the victim having limited understanding of what was really going on here.”