Beatrice Ekweremadu’s people celebrate her return from UK jail
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Beatrice Ekweremadu, the wife of former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, was on Wednesday welcomed with jubilation in Mpu community in Aninri Council in Enugu when she returned from the United Kingdom where she served time in jail over illegal organ harvesting.
She arrived back in Nigeria on Tuesday. Her husband is still in prison.
A criminal court in London, called the Old Bailey, in May 2023 sentenced Beatrice to five years in prison and Ike to 10 years for trafficking a boy from Nigeria to harvest his organ to cure the sickness of their daughter, Sonia, who suffered from deteriorating kidneys and needed regular dialysis.
It was the first case under the new UK law on organ harvesting.
The couple and a medical doctor, Obinna Obeta, were convicted for their roles in a failed plot to harvest the kidney of a 21-year-old street trader in Lagos.
Crown prosecutors told the court that Ekweremadus lured the boy to the UK for the purpose of harvesting one of his kidneys for their daughter.
However, the young man fled their grip in the UK and reported to the police, leading to their arrest, trial, and conviction on 5 May 2023.
The court sentenced Ekweremadu to nine years and eight months in prison; Beatrice got four years and six months, and Obeta, who acted as a ‘middleman’ in the plot, to 10 years with his medical licence suspended.
Beatrice pleaded ill health of her own in court but it was not considered in her sentencing.
On Wednesday Mpu Town Union Federated President, Benjamin Chijioke, described her return from UK jail as a significant relief for the entire community.
“Our joy as Mpu people knows no bounds. This is a great day for us. Since morning, it has been jubilation and celebration across all the villages,” Chijioke said.
He stressed that many community members, especially those who rely on the Ekweremadu family’s philanthropy, were overwhelmed with tears of joy, noting that the celebration coincided with the community’s Orie market day, which turned the marketplace into a hub of festivity.
“We thank God and pray that He intervenes so that our illustrious son and leader, distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu, will soon return home in good health,” Chijioke added, per reporting by The PUNCH.
“Their absence has caused a significant setback for the community, but we remain hopeful.”
Mpu Ward Councillor Ogbuka Edwin also expressed gratitude for Beatrice’s return, reiterating that the absence of the Ekweremadus created a gap in the community.
“It feels like a public holiday here in Mpu. The news brought so much cheer. We will continue to pray until our leader and hero, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, rejoins his family,” Edwin said.
Social media platforms associated with the Mpu community are equally flooded with messages of celebration and prayers for Ike’s return.
One said
“Daalu Ezinne! But I can’t wait until I see Ikeoha Global! The man who made me who I am politically – a builder of people and structures. New things will happen soon!”
A second said
“May God’s name be praised now and always, Amen. It can only be God.”
Another community member wrote
“Waoooi, good news! Thank you for everything. Dear mummy, you are highly, highly welcome, ma!”
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