Former Deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, has been remanded again in police custody yesterday.
He was remanded by Uxbridge Magistrate Court, in the UK, ensuing insistence by the prosecutor that the alleged kidney donor, David Ukpo was 15 years of age.
Photo credit: kossyderrickent.com
Earlier Ekweremadu had appeared in court with his wife, Beatrice Nwanneka, for alleged organ harvesting of a minor. However, she was absent, as the court denied her request to appear by his side.
No bail application was made and Ekweremadu will remain in custody until his next appearance at Westminster magistrates’ court on July 7. He was remanded in custody as the court argued that he is an influential person, a flight risk and the case involve a child and modern slavery.
READ MORE: UK Hit Ekweremadu, Wife With Organ Harvesting Charge
The prosecutor claimed that David Ukpo, who alleged that he was coerced to donate his kidney to the senator’s daughter, is 15 years. David was allegedly picked up off the street in Lagos by a criminal gang some months ago with the intention of organ harvesting.
The court further added that because part of the alleged offence was committed outside the United Kingdom, the consent of the attorney general is required for the case to continue.
The case has been adjourned and the UK Attorney General, Suella Braverman, is the determine whether the case would be tried in the country or Nigeria.
A large delegation from the Nigeria high commission was also present in the public gallery along side the senators’s children.
Ekweremadu faces charge of conspiracy to arrange the travel of another person for exploitation, under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act 2015.
His wife Beatrice is charged with facilitating the travel of a person for exploitation.
