The allegations against the family of former Deputy Senate President Senator Ike Ekweremandu worsened yesterday as
David, the teenager at the centre of the organ harvesting allegation, is said to have entered the United Kingdom (UK) with his age put at 41 years.
The London Mail, in a report yesterday, said David also did not know that he was taken to London for the purpose of donating his kidney
The 15-year-old 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 for a hospital appointment in London, a court heard yesterday (Thursday),” the Mail quoted Prosecutor Damla Ayas as telling the Uxbridge Magistrates Court.
The prosecutor said the passport was illegally procured.
The newspaper added: “After he (David) 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. and whether he was 41 as his passport claimed.
“’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.”
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.”
The couple are charged with conspiracy to arrange or facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting.
The kidney was meant for their daughter, Sonia, who requires a kidney transplant.
They face a 10-year jail term if found guilty.
David is now under the care of safeguarding authorities and the Metropolitan Police, officials said while the accused persons are being remanded in custody.