A Nigerian senator, Ike Ekweremadu of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and his wife, Beatrice Nwanneka Ekweremad, have today appeared in court accused of plotting to traffic a 15-year-old boy to the UK from Lagos in order to harvest his kidney for their ailing daughter.
The court heard that the couple, who have four children and a house in Willesden, North London, hoped to transplant the boy’s organs to their daughter who suffers from kidney failure.
Police had earlier been alerted to potential offences under modern slavery laws last month and arrested the couple two days ago at Heathrow Airport before they flew to Turkey, the court heard.
The child is now under the care of safeguarding authorities and the Metropolitan Police, officials said.
Ekweremadu, 60, and his wife Beatrice, 55, are charged with conspiracy to arrange or facilitate the 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 today.
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
‘The couple were interviewed at the police station. Both of the defendants have provided a prepared statement.
Ekweremadu, in his prepared statement, denied allegations of human trafficking, saying that at no stage has he arranged transport for anyone with the intention to exploit them.
His wife similarly denied the allegations in her prepared statement, the court heard.
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 are “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.”
The couple have an address they could stay at in Willesden, northwest London, the court heard.
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.”
Magistrate Lois Sheard said: ‘These are serious allegations and these matters are now adjourned until 7 July back here at Uxbridge.”
Ms. Sheard remanded both defendants into custody ahead of their hearing next month.
The Ekweremadus are charged with ‘conspiring to arrange or facilitate the travel of another person with a view to exploitation….between 1 August 2021 and 5 May 2022 within the jurisdiction of Central Criminal Court’.
The investigation was launched by the Met’s Specialist Crime team after detectives were alerted to potential offences under modern slavery legislation in May 2022.
The Met Police has confirmed that the boy is safe and being looked after. Mr Ekweremadu was held with Nwanneka Ekweremadu in Britain this month.
Ekweremadu has been an elected senator at the Abuja-based parliament since 2003 after moving into politics after years as a lawyer.
His wife, five years his junior, is an academic and doctor and also a major public figure in Nigeria. They are believed to have four adult children.
