Former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice Nwanneka Ekweremadu have denied reports of plans to harvest a minor’s organ.
Recall that Ekweremadu and his wife were on Thursday formally charged with conspiracy to facilitate the travel of a minor for alleged organ harvesting.
The couple, who appeared before the Uxbridge Magistrate Court on Thursday and were denied bail, are said to have brought an homeless 15-year-old boy to the U.K. from the streets of Lagos.
But Ekweremadu through his lawyer, Gavin Irwin, told the court that at no stage did he arrange transport for anyone with intention to exploit them.
According to Daily Mail, 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.”
Antonia Gray, who represented Mrs Ekweremadu, said her client 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 prosecutor made an application to adjourn matters for 14 days.
The case was adjourned to 7 July 2022.