At 15, Daniel, the eldest of nine children, left his home in Ebonyi state for Lagos to find work. He earned less than 14 USD daily at Ikotun market, constantly dreaming of going abroad.

In late 2021, Ben, an old friend of Daniel's, called from London, boasting about his new life and introducing Daniel to doctor Obinna Obeta. Obeta promised to bring Daniel to England for work, provided he underwent a medical examination in Abuja before applying for a visa.

In February 2022, Daniel sold his belongings and traveled to England. Upon arrival, his passport was confiscated, and he was forced to sleep in Obeta's living room, performing all chores from washing dishes and laundry to cleaning bathrooms. Penniless and unfamiliar with his surroundings, Daniel relied entirely on his trafficker for food.

Ikotun market in Lagos, where Daniel and Chukwudi worked, on 9/7/2021. Photo: NurPhoto SRL/Alamy

At this time, the daughter of former Nigerian Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu was suffering from kidney failure. Through Ben, who had previously donated a kidney to Obeta, Daniel was targeted. In the visa application, Obeta falsely claimed Daniel was the girl's cousin and a voluntary organ donor.

At Royal Free Hospital in London, Daniel understood the true purpose after a doctor's explanation. He refused, and doctor Peter Dupont immediately halted the assessment process.

Upon learning of the refusal, Obeta threatened Daniel and promised to pay him nearly 2,700 USD if he agreed to the surgery. However, the hospital had already officially rejected the transplant.

Daniel believed the ordeal was over, yet his passport remained confiscated, and his movement restricted. On one occasion, two strangers examined him, as if preparing for surgery elsewhere. When Obeta announced he had booked a flight to return Daniel to Nigeria, Daniel realized he was still part of the organ harvesting scheme.

Weeks later, under the pretense of sending Daniel home, the group took him to Heathrow Airport. There, Daniel escaped. He wandered for three days with an old phone and 40 USD before reporting to a police station.

Ike Ekweremadu (left), Doctor Obinna Obeta (top right), and Beatrice Ekweremadu on 23/3/2023 after their arrest. Photo: AP

Daniel's testimony launched an investigation. In June 2022, Ike Ekweremadu, his wife, and doctor Obeta were arrested at Heathrow Airport. Following the trial, Ike received a sentence of 9 years and 8 months in prison, his wife 4 years and 6 months, and Obeta was sentenced to 10 years for human trafficking with the intent of organ harvesting.

This marked the first conviction in England under the Modern Slavery Act for organ trafficking.

After testifying, Daniel entered a witness protection program and lost all contact with his family. His father passed away without seeing him one last time. Friends reported Daniel was devastated, unable to return home for the funeral due to safety concerns.