Crime
Organ Harvesting: Ekweremadu, 2 Others To Be Sentenced Today
Organ Harvesting: Ekweremadu, 2 Others To Be Sentenced Today
After a six-week trial and conviction at the Old Bailey, London’s Central Criminal Court, the Ekweremadus and their doctor might face a harsh reality of a possible 10-year jail terms for violating the Modern Slavery Act.
The judge, Mr Justice Jeremy Johnson, will pass the sentence.
Recall that the prosecutor Hugh Davies KC told the court that the Ekweremadus and Obeta had treated the man and other potential donors as “disposable assets – spare parts for reward”.
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He said they entered an “emotionally cold commercial transaction” with the man.
Davies told the jury that the behaviour of Ekweremadu showed “entitlement, dishonesty and hypocrisy”.
He said Ekweremadu, who owns several properties and had a staff of 80, “agreed to reward someone for a kidney for his daughter – somebody in circumstances of poverty and from whom he distanced himself and made no inquiries, and with whom, for his own political protection, he wanted no direct contact”.
Davies added, “What he agreed to do was not simply expedient in the clinical interests of his daughter, Sonia, it was exploitation, it was criminal. It is no defence to say he acted out of love for his daughter. Her clinical needs cannot come at the expense of the exploitation of somebody in poverty.”
Ekweremadu, who denied the charge, told the court he was the victim of a scam. Obeta, who also denied the charge, claimed the man was not offered a reward for his kidney and was acting altruistically. Beatrice denied any knowledge of the alleged conspiracy. Sonia did not give evidence.
In the last few days the Nigerian Senate, the House of Representatives and the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) had written letters to the British Authorities seeking leniency for the embattled lawmaker. Prior to this, the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo has also written to the British authorities pleading on behalf of the federal legislator.
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Organ Harvesting: Ekweremadu, 2 Others To Be Sentenced Today
Three Men Arraigned in Lagos for Alleged Kidnapping, Theft
Three men, Azeez Sadiq, 35, Taiwo Olayinka, 30, and Monsuru Saheed, 21, were brought before an Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Tuesday, facing charges of kidnapping and theft. The suspects, whose residential addresses were not disclosed, were charged with conspiracy, kidnapping, and stealing.
According to the prosecutor, ASP Christian Okonofua, the incident occurred on August 20 at around 12 p.m. near a Mobile petrol station behind F One Bar in Ikorodu, Lagos. The defendants, along with accomplices still at large, allegedly kidnapped two individuals from Ogun State and stole N13,000 from one of the victims.
Local residents apprehended the defendants and reported the matter to the police, leading to their arrest. The charges brought against them contravene Sections 411, 172, and 287 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.
During the court hearing, the defendants pleaded not guilty. Magistrate O.A. Ogbe granted each defendant bail of N1 million, requiring two sureties in the same amount. One of the sureties must own landed property and provide proof of three years’ tax payments to the Lagos State Government.
The magistrate also ordered that the second charge be duplicated and forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for further advice. The case was adjourned until October 3 for mention.
29-Year-Old Sentenced to 7 Years for Secret Cult Membership
A 29-year-old man, Tobiloba Ogunbo, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for being a member of a secret cult, following a ruling by the Ogun Special Cultism Court in Abeokuta.
Ogunbo, who had initially pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy, involvement in an unlawful society, and causing a public disturbance, was found guilty by Magistrate O.L. Oke. The court ruled that the prosecution presented sufficient evidence to prove Ogunbo’s involvement, leading to the conviction.
The court also noted that the convict will serve his sentence without the option of a fine.
Prosecutor Inspector Olaide Rawlings told the court that Ogunbo and several associates had injured a man, identified as Mr. Anu, during a confrontation in the Sabo area of Abeokuta on January 19, 2024. Following an investigation, Ogunbo was arrested, and he confessed to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.
The charges against Ogunbo violated Sections 45(b), 34, 36, and 37 of the Secret Cults Prohibition and Special Provisions Law of Ogun 2016.
Police Nab Three Suspected Kidnappers After N3 Million Ransom in Lagos
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested three suspected kidnappers involved in a ransom operation after collecting N3 million from the family of their victim.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrests to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday. According to Hundeyin, the Isashi Police Division received a distress call around noon on Tuesday, reporting the abduction of an individual by unknown assailants in the Oke Moro area of Isashi.
Responding swiftly, police officers arrived at the scene, where they rescued a 24-year-old male victim and apprehended the three suspects.
“Initial investigations revealed the suspects had beaten the victim and demanded a ransom of N2 million, which the victim’s mother paid into two separate bank accounts,” Hundeyin said. He further explained that the suspects also forced the victim to transfer N1 million from his bank account and took his three Nigerian international passports, among other valuables.
The police are continuing their investigation and are working to apprehend others involved who managed to flee the scene.
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