By Ogochukwu Isioma
Nigeria’s former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, and his wife, Beatrice Nwanneka, were today arraigned in a Magistrate’s Court the UK over alleged trafficking of a homeless child into the UK in order to harvest his organs.
The court, however, remanded both defendants into custody ahead of their hearing next month, July 7 in Uxbridge.
The authorities said Ekweremadu and his wife before being arrested at Heathrow Airport had £20,000 in cash,’ court heard that the couple was arrested on June 21 at Heathrow Airport on their way to Turkey, the court was also told.
Dailymail reports that Ekweremadu was spotted wearing a grey sweater while his wife was wearing a black and white knitted cardigan at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court today.
During their arraignment, the prosecutor, Damla Ayas, said: ‘It is conspiracy in relation to human trafficking offences for the purposes of organ harvesting.
“The victim in this case is 15 years old.’ ‘They 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.’
Responding, the legal counsel representing Senator Ekweremadu, Gavin Irwin, 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’. According to Dailymail, Ekweremadu’s wife similarly denied the allegations in her prepared statement, the court heard.
Antonia Gray, who represents 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.’
Meanwhile, the prosecutor made an application to adjourn matters for 14 days.
Ms Ayas said: ‘In respect of these offences Attorney General’s consent is required and the Crown requires 14 days for that to be obtained.’
The magistrate court, however, remanded both defendants into custody ahead of their hearing next month, July 7 in Uxbridge.
