UK varsity bans Ekweremadu over organ harvesting allegation

The University of Lincoln, United Kingdom, has banned former Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, from serving as a visiting professor, over the allegation of attempting to harvest the kidney of a 15-year-old boy, Ukpo Nwamini David.

Ekweremade was recently appointed as a visiting professor of Corporate and International Linkages.

The Star had reported that a Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court in the UK ordered the remand of 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, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who has been a senator since 2003, and his wife should be remanded till July 6.

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.

According to the prosecutor, a 15-year-old homeless boy was transported from Lagos State to Heathrow Airport with the intent to transplant the boy’s organs to one of Ekweremadu’s daughters who suffers from kidney failure

The couple have four children and a house in Willesden, North London.

However, the University of Lincoln, in a statement by its spokesperson, said Ekweremadu’s duties at the institution have been suspended for the time being.

“Visiting professors are often, as is in this case, non-resident at the university, unpaid and advisory.

READ ALSO: Ekweremadu, wife to remain in London detention till July 6

“We are deeply concerned about the nature of these allegations, but as this is an active police investigation, we cannot comment further at this stage.

“Whilst this matter is subject to investigation, this person will not be undertaking any duties as visiting professor at Lincoln,” the spokesperson stated, according to Mail Online.

Ekweremadu had after the university appointment two weeks ago, 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.”

The embattled lawmaker served as Deputy President of the Senate from 2007 to 2019.

He, however, withdrew from the 2023 governorship race in Enugu State after he failed to win the PDP’s ticket.

The Star