Nigerian senator Ike Ekweremadu, and wife detained in the UK over human trafficking and organ harvesting charges

A serving senator of the federal republic of Nigeria, Ike Ekweremadu and his wife have today appeared before a UK court after being accused of plotting to traffic a homeless Nigerian child into the UK in order to harvest his organs.

The former deputy senate president Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice Nwanneka Ekweremadu are accused of trying to traffic the 15-year-old to the UK from Lagos with the hope of transplanting the boy’s organs to their daughter who suffers from kidney failure.

Police were alerted to potential offences under modern slavery laws last month and arrested the couple two days ago at Heathrow Airport as they attempted to board a plane to Turkey, the court heard.

The child is now under the care of safeguarding authorities and the Metropolitan Police, officials say.

Ekweremadu and accountant wife Beatrice, 55, are charged with conspiracy to arrange or facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting.

According to the prosecution, ‘It is conspiracy in relation to human trafficking offences for the purposes of organ harvesting. The victim in this case is 15 years old

Mr and Mrs Ike Ekweremadu

‘They the couple were interviewed at the police station. Both of the defendants have provided a prepared statement.

‘Mr Ekweremadu in his prepared statement denied allegations of human trafficking.

‘He said at no stage has he arranged transport for anyone with intention to exploit them.’

His wife also denied the allegations in her prepared statement.

The magistrate then remanded both defendants into custody ahead of their hearing next month on July 7th.

Dolupo Balogun

Written by BoomRadioNG