Alleged organ harvesting: Former deputy  Senate President, Ekweremadu, wife risk life imprisonment in UK

…As London Magistrates’ Court adjourns case to July 17

…Ekweremadu informed UK High Commission about kidney donor, document shows

By Uthman Salami

The Deputy President of the Senate Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice Ekweremadu risk life imprisonment judgement, if found guilty, following their arrest over an alleged organ harvesting, which is under human trafficking law in the United Kingdom’s law.

The United Kingdom’s Modern Slavery Act 2015 (MSA 2015), partly stated that “Under S2, an individual commits an offence if they arrange or facilitate the travel of another with a view to that person being exploited. It is irrelevant whether that person consents to the travel, or whether they are a child or an adult.

“Under S3 of MSA 2015, exploitation includes: slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour; sexual exploitation (which involves the commission of an offence under s 1(1)(a) of the Protection of Children’s Act 1978 (indecent photographs of children), or Pt 1 of SOA 2003 (eg, rape or sexual assault); removal of organs where a person is encouraged required or expected to do anything which involves the commission of an offence under SS32 or 33 of the Human Tissue Act 2004 (prohibition of commercial dealings in organs and restrictions on use of live donors); securing services etc by force, threats or deception; securing services etc from children and vulnerable persons (eg, physically or mentally ill or disabled).”

The part for punishment, however, partly states that “human trafficking is liable on summary conviction to 12 months’ imprisonment and/or unlimited fine,” adding that “on conviction on indictment, the maximum sentence is life imprisonment.”

The duo whose arrest was confirmed by the Metropolitan Police earlier on Thursday were reportedly seeking a kidney transplant for their child, Sonia Ekweremadu.

The MET Police said it charged them to court for conspiring to bring a child to the UK for organ harvesting.

At the Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court, they pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to the Evening Standard of London’s report, which was sighted by our correspondent.

The Magistrate Lois Sheard was reported to have said, “These are serious allegations and these matters are now adjourned until 7 July back here at Uxbridge.”

Ms Sheard remanded Ekweremadu and his wife Beatrice into custody ahead of their hearing next month.

Ekweremadu informed UK High Commission about kidney donor, documents show

The former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, had in December 2021, written a letter to the British High Commission about a kidney donation for his daughter.

This is according to a copy of an official letter written by Ekweremadu to the UK high commission, seen by Nigerian NewsDirect on Thursday.

In the letter, the former Deputy Senate President said he was writing in support of a visa applicant who was scheduled for “medical investigations for a kidney donation to Ms Sonia Ekweremadu.”

He said the donor and his daughter “will be at the Royal Free Hospital London,” adding that he would “be providing the necessary funding.”

“I have enclosed a statement of my bank account,” he added.

“Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require additional information.  Please accept the assurances of my highest regards.”