Ekweremadu’s wife returns to Nigeria after release from UK prison

Beatrice Ekweremadu, wife of former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has returned to Nigeria nearly two years after serving a jail term in the United Kingdom.

Beatrice arrived Nigeria on Tuesday, January 21, touching down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where she was received by friends and relatives after the conclusion of a legal process that began in 2022.

Mrs Ekweremadu was convicted alongside her husband over her role in an organ trafficking conspiracy that drew international attention.

While her husband received a nine-year and eight-month prison sentence as the principal actor in the case, Beatrice was slammed with four years and six months.

The Ekweremadus were charged for facilitating the travel of a 21-year-old street trader from Nigeria to the UK for the intention of harvesting his kidney for their daughter, Sonia, who suffers from chronic kidney disease.

The case was prosecuted under the United Kingdom’s Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Also convicted was Obinna Obeta, described as a medical “middleman,” who is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence in the UK.

Beatrice’s husband, Ike Ekweremadu, remains in a UK prison where he continues to serve his sentence.

The couple’s daughter, Sonia, who was cleared of all criminal charges during the 2023 trial is still ongoing medical treatment for her condition.

According to the UK law, non-violent offenses are typically eligible for release on license after serving half of the custodial term.