Ekweremadu, wife to remain in custody till early August

Admin l Thursday, July 7, 2022

 

LONDON – Former Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife will remain in custody till August 4, 2022 when hearing will begin at a higher Court in London.

The district judge hearing the case also accepted that the complainant, Ukpo Uwamini David is not a child as previously reported, as his International Passport showed him to be 21 years old.

Ekweremadu and wife, who were accused of organ harvesting by the London Metropolitan Police appeared in court with his wife for a brief hearing.

They were reported to have entered a no guilty plea. They denied there was a criminal conspiracy,  and that no exploitation occurred, it was said.

The 20-minute hearing at Westminster Magistrate was presided over by Deputy Senior District Judge Tan Ikram, who has  sent the case to a higher court  for hearing on 4 August, 2022.

Senator Ike Ekweremadu is charged with conspiracy to arrange or facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation, while his wife is charged with arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation.

According to prosecutors, the couple planned to have the kidney of  Ukpo Uwamini  David removed so it could be given to their daughter, Sonia Ekweremadu.

Ukpo Uwamini David had told the police that  the Ekweremadus treated him  like  a slave before he escaped to the police station.

Mrs Ekweremadu, 56, was dressed in a black and white shirt with a dark jacket, while  Mr Ekweremadu, 60, wore a grey tracksuit jumper, red T-shirt and glasses.

Read more about the charges here