The brother of the young Nigerian man trafficked to the UK for his kidney by former Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has told BBC’s File on 4, that their family now fear revenge attacks from allies of the politician.
A UK court sentenced Ekweremadu to nine years and eight months in prison for organ trafficking.
The court also sentenced Mr Ekweremadu’s wife, Beatrice, to four years and six months in prison while a doctor who allegedly colluded with them, Obinna Obeta, was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
They allegedly procured a 21-year-old street trader, David Nwamini, and flew him to the UK with the intention to harvest his kidney for their sick daughter, Sonia.
Sonia has a serious form of kidney disease. She needs a transplant and is on dialysis for five hours a day, three or four times a week.
BBC met David’s brother in the busy Lagos market where the alleged victim used to sell mobile phone accessories.
He told BBC File on 4, that he hasn’t spoken to his brother since he disappeared in February 2022 and only found out where he was when news of the trial was reported months later.
“We have been crying everyday and my father has grieved so much he’s become very sick,” he says.
“Daniel was deceived and carried away,” he added.
Daniel’s landlord and mentor, who he spoke to everyday before he vanished , is adamant he would not have agreed to sell his kidney.
“Because he knows there are other ways to make money. Even for £1m wouldn’t have done it,” the landlord said.