Ekweremadu to remain in custody as court adjourns till October

The Central Criminal Court in the United Kingdom (UK) on Thursday adjourned the case of former deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu to Monday, October 31.

Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice were arrested by the British police on June 23 on allegations of human trafficking and organ harvesting one that violate the country’s Modern Slavery Act.

The couple was charged with conspiracy to arrange or facilitate the travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting.

The UK police alleged that David Nwamini, the organ donor, is a 15-year-old but the court ruled that he is 21.

Ekweremadu said he informed the UK high commission on December 2021 in a letter that Nwamini was undergoing medical investigations for a kidney donation to his daughter, Sonia Ekweremadu, who is in need of a kidney transplant, and said both Nwamini and Sonia will be at the Royal Free Hospital London.

Prosecutor Tim Probert-Wood said the case involved ‘exploitation and harvesting of an organ.’ While the defendant, Martin Hicks, denied the allegation.

Judge Richard Marks QC said that there will be a hearing of pretrial applications on October 31, but the trial will commence fully next year Tuesday, May 2.