Sonia Ekweremadu appeals to public for kidney donation
Sonia Ekweremadu, the daughter of former deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, currently facing organ harvesting charge in the United Kingdom, has begged the public to donate a kidney to her.
A statement on her Twitter on Monday reads, “I, Sonia Ekweremadu, hereby appeal to the general public to come to my aid and save my life.
“I dropped out of my postgraduate studies at the University of Newcastle in 2019 when I was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease, FSGS Nephrotic Syndome.
“My family has battled to save my life and has taken me to various hospitals but the illness persisted and kept degenerating. I’m alive today by the special grace of God. I am presently in London, UK, receiving five hours of dialysis 3-4 times a week. This is at the expense of my family as I am not qualified for NHS due to my immigration status.
“The charges being faced by my parents in London presently are directly connected to my illness and have complicated matters for me and my family.
“In the circumstance above. I am appealing to anybody whom it may please to assist me willingly with a kidney donation in the name of God.”
Ekweremadu’s ordeal
Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice Nwanneka, on Thursday, June 23, 2022, landed in London detention over allegation of human trafficking and organ harvesting conspiracy.
Reports have however emerged suggesting that both were in desperation to save the life of Sonia who has kidney issues and requires kidney donation.
Both now face charges bordering on organ harvesting, which attracts a 10-year jail term.
The alleged offence involves removing parts of the body against the will of the victim.
Their daughter, Sonia, requires a kidney transplant but an attempt to get a donor went awry.
A source said: “The couple wanted the best for their daughter. They were not out to harvest organs. They have gone through much trouble over the trauma of their daughter who needed a matching donor for a kidney transplant.
“They got one and flew him to London only to discover that the kidney did not match her own. I think they decided to send him home and security issues arose.
“In the course of an investigation, the Met Police spotted some procedural errors, which violated slavery legislation and child law in the UK.
“The transplant processes were suspected to be untidy too. A 15-year-old boy was rated as underage in the UK.
Ekweremadu on December 28, 2021, approached the Visa Section, British High Commission, Abuja to seek support for a UK visa for Ukpo Mwamini David.
The letter reads in part: “I am writing in support of the visa application made by Mr. Ukpo Nwamini David, who is currently having medical investigations for a kidney donation to Ms Sonia Ekweremadu.
“David and Sonia will be at the Royal Free Hospital London, and I will be providing the necessary funding.
“I have enclosed a statement of my bank account. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require additional information.”
Another source, who gave a different insight into why the couple was arrested said: “Met Police suspected that the child donor was picked up somewhere in Lagos for alleged rehabilitation in London by the Ekweremadus. But it turned out that they wanted him to donate his kidney without his consent.
“In the hospital records, the boy’s age was allegedly put at 21 but during the pre-transplant examination, he claimed that he was 15 years.
“The hospital immediately halted the procedure and sent out intelligence for security agencies to monitor the Ekweremadus.
“The supposed donor also raised the alarm to the police when the Ekweremadus sought to return him to Nigeria contrary to what they promised him.”
He added: “The age factor was a major challenge for the Ekweremadus for allegedly bringing a teenager and tagging him a 21-year-old. There was no evidence of parental consent.”
Facts have however continued to emerge, suggesting that the supposed donour may not be entirely honest in all his claims about his ag and consent.
While the court has released Ekweremadu’s wife on bail, the politician has remained in detention as of the time this story was published.
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