Sonia Ekweremadu Speaks About Parents Conviction In The UK

Sonia Ekweremadu Parents Conviction — Sonia Ekweremadu

Sonia Ekweremadu has opened up about her parents’ conviction over allegations of organ trafficking.

On Friday, May 12, her parents were sentenced to jail by a UK court. The court sentenced Ike Ekweremadu, to nine years and eight months in prison, and 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.

In March 2023, the former deputy Senate President and his wife, Beatrice, were found guilty of “conspiracy to facilitate and arrange travel with the aim of exploitation,” by an Old Bailey jury. Sonia was however cleared of any wrongdoing.

In an interview with BBC, the 25-year-old said:

“It is sad, It’s been really hard to wrap my head around it. I understand the conviction, personally, I disagree with it. However, that’s from a very bias perspective as their daughter and I would obviously always, always back my parents. However, the law has taken its curse and we just have to now move forward as a family”.

She also revealed that she suffers from Nephrotic Syndrome, Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), and that she either has to get a transplant or stay on dialysis for the rest of her life. Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder that causes your body to pass too much protein in your urine.

She also revealed why she couldn’t get a donor from her family.

“I had the APO1 gene. To us, that kind of excluded the family, especially on my dad’s side because they have quite a history of kidney conditions.”

Asked if she was aware that the donor at the center of the case was portrayed as her cousin, she replied: “Yea, I mean, I can’t answer that”.