Overview
- Daniel, a young Nigerian man, was deceived with a visa-related blood test and coached to pose as a cousin donor before clinicians at London’s Royal Free grew suspicious and paused the transplant.
- He fled, slept rough for two weeks, and reported to police near Heathrow, prompting a Metropolitan Police investigation launched in May 2022.
- Detectives seized phones from Ike and Beatrice Ekweremadu on arrival in London, uncovering messages about a 4.5 million naira donor fee.
- On 23 March, a UK court convicted Ike Ekweremadu, his wife Beatrice, and intermediary Dr Obinna Obeta, sentencing them to 9 years 8 months, 4½ years, and 10 years respectively, while Sonia was acquitted.
- Police say they are still pursuing other suspects, and senior officers raised safeguarding concerns after Nigerian senators sought to move the case to Nigeria and requested access to the victim.