By Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Former deputy senate president, Like Ekweremadu, and his wife, Beatrice, have been remanded in custody in the United Kingdom.
The United Kingdom Metropolitan Police had earlier on Thursday announced that Ekweremadu and his wife have been charged at Uxbridge magistrates’ court over allegation of bringing a child to the UK for organ harvesting.
The UK metropolitan police said the duo were charged following an investigation by the police’ specialist crime team, following their arrest on Tuesday.
The police added that investigation was launched after detectives were alerted to potential offences under modern slavery legislation in May 2022.
“Beatrice Nwanneka Ekweremadu, 55 (10.9.66) of Nigeria is charged with conspiracy to arrange/facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting
“Ike Ekweremadu, 60 (12.05.62) of Nigeria is charged with conspiracy to arrange/facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting,” the charge against the couple read.
The 15-year-old victim was said to have “been safeguarded,” while the police added that its operatives “are working closely with partners on continued support.”
According to the BBC, the pair were asked by the clerk for their address, to which they both replied, “Nigeria”.
The court heard the prosecution needed permission to proceed because of jurisdiction issues.
“In respect of these offences the (UK) Attorney General’s consent is required and the Crown require 14 days for that to be obtained,” Prosecutor Damla Ayas told the court.
Most of the alleged offences took place in the UK, magistrates heard.
Ekweremadu, who was recently made a visiting professor at the University of Lincoln, served three terms as deputy president of the senate, from 2007 to 2019.
A University of Lincoln spokesman said: “Visiting professors are often, as is in this case, non-resident at the university, unpaid and advisory.
“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.”
Ekweremadu and his wife were denied bail and the case was adjourned till July 7.
