Embattled Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice have again appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court in London, United Kingdom (UK) ahead of the scheduled date of July 7th.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Metropolitan Police arrested Ekweremadu and Beatrice and charged them before Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court last week for allegations related to modern day slavery and organ harvesting.
The case was adjourned to July 7. However, Ekweremadu and Beatrice appeared in court on Thursday following interventions for the case to be given accelerated hearing.
The former Deputy Senate President and his wife were again denied bail, with a reason that Ekweremadu and Beatrice are high profile persons and therefore flight risk.
Meanwhile, the case has been moved to Westminster Magistrate Court for the next adjourned date to enable the UK Attorney General, Suella Braverman, to determine whether the case will be tried in the country or in Nigeria.
Prosecutors claim that David Ukpo, who alleged that he was coerced to the UK to donate his kidney to the Senator’s daughter, is 15 years old.
TNG reports that the Nigerian High Commissioner to Britain, Alhaji Isola Sarafa was present at the court. Two adults male children of Ekweremadu were also present in the court.
On Wednesday, President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan had said he was in touch with Alhaji Sarafa, who provided some consular services that include the engagement of some lawyers who will defend Ekweremadu and wife.
“Equally, the Nigeria Foreign Affairs Minister has been engaged here, so that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs takes steps to provide diplomatic support for our colleague.
“We have also mandated our committee on foreign affairs to engage with the British high commission here in Nigeria, to find more details on this case, as as far as the high commission is involved,” Lawan said.
TNG reports a delegation has also been drafted by the Senate to visit London to see Ekweremadu and his wife.
Details shortly…