Ekweremadu: Father of Boy in UK Illegal Kidney Transplant Dies

• Former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu's illegal kidney transplant case in the United Kingdom has again made its way into the media
• Felix Nwamini Ukpo, the father of the trended David Ukpo Nwamini, the young boy who was at the centre of the high-profile case, reportedly died
• Boniface Nwamini Ukpo, son of the deceased and sibling of David, disclosed that their father's death is connected with the matter, as they're yet to hear from David since

Felix Nwamini Ukpo, the father of the trended David Ukpo Nwamini, the young boy who was at the centre of the high-profile illegal kidney transplant case in the United Kingdom, which involved former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, is dead.

David's father reportedly died on Sunday, August 10, and his death was confirmed by one of his sons, Boniface Nwamini Ukpo. Boniface disclosed that their father's death was in connection with the emotional shock and heartbreak of not seeing or hearing from David since 2022, since the beginning of the transplant saga.

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Why Ekweremadu took David to UK

Recall that David was allegedly taken to the UK to donate a kidney to Sonia, the daughter of the former deputy Senate president. He was later reported to the police, which led to the arrest of Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice, and another Nigerian doctor, Obinna Obeta. The incident happened in 2022.

The three of them were charged and subsequently convicted in 2023 by a London court for conspiring to arrange the travel of David with the intention of harvesting his organs. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in the UK explained that the case was the first illegal organ-harvesting prosecution.

The former Senate president was sentenced to nine years and eight months in prison. His wife, Beatrice, was handed four years and six months in prison. Their medical doctor, who was described as a middleman, was sentenced to 10 years.

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How Nigerians reacted to Ekweremadu's case

During the period, many Nigerians shared mixed reactions about the incident. Some of them urged the federal government to intervene for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader, while others were of the view that the law should be allowed to take its course.

Following their conviction, there has been no report about David or his family. Boniface disclosed that there has been no contact between the family and David since the incident happened.

His statement reads in part:

“Yes, my father died yesterday (Sunday) afternoon at about 12 p.m. It’s so sad that since the incident happened in 2022, we have not spoken with my brother, David. My father had been sick over the saga, and yesterday he finally died.”

Nigerian politicians who have appeared in UK courts

Legit.ng earlier reported that many Nigerian politicians are facing legal battles, not only in Nigeria but in some countries around the world, particularly in the United Kingdom.

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Most of the cases these politicians face are around corruption and money laundering. Some have been prosecuted, while others are in a long battle to defend themselves.

In 2023, some top Nigerian politicians appeared before the UK jury.

Source: Legit.ng