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Ike, 60, and Beatrice Ekweremadu, 55, are accused of taking the homeless boy to the UK from Nigeria to transplant his organs
 It has been revealed that Nigerian Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his
wife, Beatrice were reportedly exposed after the doctor who was supposed
to remove the organ of a 15-year-old orphan found out that the passport
procured by the senator had 41 as his age.
This is according to Dailymail report.
Recall that Ike, 60, and Beatrice Ekweremadu, 55, are accused of
taking the homeless boy to the UK from Nigeria to transplant his organs
into their daughter who is suffering from kidney failure.
According to Daily Mail, a consultant working in a NHS hospital
refused to remove a vital organ from a teenager allegedly trafficked to
London from the streets of Lagos by the former deputy president of the
Nigerian Senate and his wife, a court has heard.
The doctor at the Royal Free in Camden became suspicious about
whether the alleged victim was aware he was the donor of the kidney and
whether he was 41 as his passport claimed.
The '15-year-old' boy was given the passport of a 41-year-old in
order to get into the UK, but did not know he was there to donate a
kidney until he went a hospital appointment in London, a court heard
yesterday.
After he arrived in the capital in February he had a string of
medical appointments about kidney donation, but a consultant at the
Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, North London, became concerned about
the boy's real age and if he knew he was there to donate an organ, it is
alleged.
Prosecutor Damla Ayas told Uxbridge Magistrates Court yesterday: 'The
victim was 15. In Nigeria, he was approached by both defendants. He was
homeless on the streets of Lagos. They deceived him and promised him a
better life in the UK. He was given a passport for a 41-year-old. The
passport was illegally obtained by these defendants.'
'He was provided with a medical travel visa saying the purpose
of the travel was to provide medical treatment for the defendants'
daughter who was undergoing dialysis in relation to a number of health
issues.
'It was premeditated, it was planned. Blood tests were obtained in Nigeria and he travelled to the UK in February this year.
'He was taken to several medical appointments in particular a
medical appointment at the Royal Free Hospital and was spoken to by a
consultant about the organ harvesting for a kidney transplant.
'The consultant was concerned about his actual age and was
concerned he was not aware he was the donor of the kidney. He only found
out that the purpose of his visit was for an organ transplant when he
visited the hospital'. Ayas said
Police were alerted to potential offences under modern slavery laws last month.
Ekweremadu has been in the UK for at least the past fortnight
having met with members of the Nigerian community in Britain in Lincoln
around ten days ago.
He tweeted: 'It was a pleasure and an honour to receive a
letter of appointment by the University of Lincoln, UK, as Visiting
Professor of Corporate and International Linkages. I also got a highly
treasured gift - a copy of the Magna Carta. It was created in 1215,
about 807 years ago'.
They arrested the couple two days ago at Heathrow Airport as they
attempted to board a plane to Turkey - where it was suggested that the
procedure could take place - the court heard.
Ekweremadu, 60, is said to have had £20,000 on him at the time of his arrest, according to prosecutors.
The teenage boy 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.
Prosecutor Damla Ayas said: 'It is a conspiracy in relation to
human trafficking offences for the purposes of organ harvesting. The
victim, in this case, is 15 years old
'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 similarly denied the allegations in her prepared statement, the court heard.
Gavin Irwin, representing Ekweremadu, said: 'There is no question this is a serious allegation. Mr Ekweremadu is a member of the senate in Nigeria.
'He has previously held an even more senior role as deputy president of the senate.
'He is a member of the bar in Nigeria. He is a principal in a law firm that bears his name.
'Those issues taken together go way beyond him being a person
of good character…rather that he has led a blameless life as a public
servant.'
Mr. Irwin added that the allegations were 'nothing short of preposterous'.
Antonia Gray, for Mrs Ekweremadu, said: 'She has never been complicit or involved in any alleged illegal trafficking of any young person.
'She is a financial accountant…with an unblemished record.'
The couple have an address they could stay at in Willesden, northwest London, the court heard.
The prosecutor made an application to adjourn matters for 14 days.
Ms. Ayas said: 'In respect of these offences Attorney General
consent is required and the Crown require 14 days for that to be
obtained.'
Magistrate Lois Sheard said: 'These are serious allegations and these matters are now adjourned until 7 July back here at Uxbridge.'
Ms. Sheard remanded both defendants into custody ahead of their hearing next month.
The Ekweremadus are charged with 'conspiring to arrange or
facilitate travel of another person with a view to
exploitation....between 1 August 2021 and 5 May 2022 within the
jurisdiction of Central Criminal Court'.
The investigation was launched by the Met's Specialist Crime team
after detectives were alerted to potential offences under modern slavery
legislation in May 2022.
The Met Police has confirmed that the boy is safe and being looked after. |
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