A Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court in the United Kingdom has ordered the remand of former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, and his wife, Beatrice Nwanneka, who were arrested for organ harvesting.
The court gave the order following the suspects’ arraignment on Thursday.
It ordered that Ekweremadu and his wife should be remanded till July 6.
The Star had reported that the couple were arrested for bringing a child to the UK for organ harvesting.
The arrest of Ekweremadu and his wife was disclosed via a statement issued by the Metropolitan Police.
The Met said it launched an investigation after detectives were alerted to potential offences under modern slavery legislation in May 2022.
Ekweremadu, a governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State, and his wife were accused of trying to traffic the 15-year-old boy to the UK from Lagos.
The couple, who have four children and a house in Willesden, North London, were said to have concluded plans to transplant the boy’s organs to their daughter who suffers from kidney failure.
According to Dailymail, the former senator and his wife were arrested 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.
Ekweremadu was said to have had £20,000 on him at the time of his arrest, according to prosecutors.
The child is now under the care of safeguarding authorities and the Metropolitan Police, officials disclosed.
Ekweremadu and his 55-year-old wife are charged with conspiracy to arrange or facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting.
The senator was wearing a grey sweater while his wife was wearing a black and white knitted cardigan at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
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.
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“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, however, denied the allegations in her prepared statement.
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.”
Ruling, Magistrate Lois Sheard said: “These are serious allegations and these matters are now adjourned until 7 July back here at Uxbridge.”
Sheard remanded both defendants into custody ahead of their hearing next month.
