Court Dismisses Kidney Donor’s Rights Violation Suit Against Ekweremadu

A federal high court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed on behalf of David Ukpo, seeking to overturn orders that granted former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu access to Ukpo’s biodata for use in a UK court.

Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled that the applicant, Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOSCO), lacked the legal right to bring the case on Ukpo’s behalf. The judge stated that under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules of 2009, EDOSCO did not have the legal standing to sue or be sued. He also noted that EDOSCO’s counsel, Bamidele Igbinedion, deliberately omitted the organisation’s name from the face of the application, revealing it only in the supporting affidavit.

The judge further agreed with Ekweremadu’s legal team, ruling that the prayers in the suit were not related to fundamental rights enforcement. Since the biodata had already been used in the UK trial, Ekwo declared the case academic and unnecessary.

The case stems from events in June 2022, when UK authorities arrested Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice, for allegedly bringing Ukpo to the UK for organ harvesting. Although the London police initially claimed Ukpo was 15, official documents confirmed he was 21.

Following the arrest, Ekweremadu obtained a court order in Nigeria compelling the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and two banks to release Ukpo’s biodata. The information was used in his UK trial, which led to his conviction in March 2023 under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act.

In May 2023, a UK court sentenced Ekweremadu to nine years and eight months in prison. His wife received a four-year, six-month sentence, while medical doctor Obinna Obeta was sentenced to 10 years. Beatrice has since been released and has returned to Nigeria.