Alleged Organ Harvesting: How Fresh UK Court Ruling Favours The Ekweremadus
The Westminster Magistrate court in the UK has ruled that David Ukpo who was to donate his kidney to the ailing daughter of former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, is not a minor.
Recall that Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice, were on June 23 arraigned before the court on charges bordering on conspiracy to arrange/facilitate the travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting.
The Ekweremadus were arrested after David raised an alarm that he was 15 years old and was brought to the UK for his kidney to be harvested. He was on the verge of being operated on at the Royal Fee Hospital when he opted out and informed the doctors that he was ’15’.
However, his details with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and with two bank accounts he operates in Nigeria show he is 21 years old.
Meanwhile, both Ekweremadu and his wife appeared in court today, July 7 and they pleaded not guilty to the charges of organ harvesting and human trafficking while the case has been transferred to the Central Criminal Court.
Prosecutors were said to have told the court on Thursday that all the available evidence provided showed that the said donor is actually 21 years old and not 15 years old as widely reported.
With this ruling, respite is underway for Ekweremadu and his wife despite the fact that they will be remanded in custody until the next hearing, August 4, 2022.
The focal point of the Ekweremadus legal predicament is majorly around Ukpo’s age debate – the allegation that they brought a 15-year-old child (a minor) to the UK to harvest his organs.
With the controversies surrounding Ukpo’s age addressed by the fresh ruling, the coast is a bit clear, and supporters of the former Deputy Senate President who have been in the background will now be more encouraged to show open solidarity.
Meanwhile, some members of the Senate and delegates from the Nigeria High Commission were present at the hearing in the UK today.
Those who attended include, Former National Publicity Secretary for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisah Metuh; former Senate Minority Leader, Eyinnanya Abaribe, former Senate President, David Mark and former Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba.