Beatrice Ekweremadu returns to Nigeria after serving part of her UK prison sentence for organ-harvesting conviction linked to her daughter’s kidney
Beatrice Ekweremadu, wife of former Nigerian Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, has returned to Nigeria following her release from prison in the United Kingdom.
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She was welcomed by family members and close associates at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, marking her first visit home since her legal case began in mid-2022, Arise TV reported.
Her return follows a May 2023 conviction at the Old Bailey in London.
She was sentenced to four years and six months for conspiring to facilitate the travel of a 21-year-old Lagos street trader to the UK for the purpose of harvesting his kidney.
The kidney was intended for the couple’s daughter, Sonia, who suffers from a chronic kidney condition.
The prosecution was conducted under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act 2015, marking the first use of the legislation in a human organ-harvesting case.
Under UK law, non-violent offenders are generally eligible for release on licence after serving half of their prison term.
Reports indicate that Beatrice’s early release was aided by her good conduct record and government efforts to reduce overcrowding in prisons.
Senator Ike Ekweremadu remains in a UK correctional facility.
He was sentenced in May 2023 to nine years and eight months for his role as the primary driver of the conspiracy.
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Efforts by the Nigerian federal government to secure his release or repatriation have so far been unsuccessful.
