Senator Ike Ekweremadu & Wife, Beatrice.
By Ejike Ikezuagu – UK.
UK: A Nigerian politician, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Beatrice, his wife, and Doctor Obinna Obeta conspired to bring a poor street trader in Lagos, David Ukpo from Nigeria to the United Kingdom to harvest his kidney, Old Bailey Crown Court London has heard.
Following the trial that started last week Tuesday, the jury was told yesterday in the court that Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Beatrice his wife, and Doctor Obinna Obeta wanted the organ for Senator Ekweremadu’s daughter, Miss Sonia, 25, who has been sick and needed kidney.
The three family members, and Doctor Obeta as “middleman” are accused of conspiring to exploit the 21-year-old trader, David Ukpo by promising him up to £7000, and better life for him to donate his kidney for Sonia.
The court was told that Ekweremadus pretended that the young man, David, who soled telephone parts in Lagos was Sonia’s cousin who was willing to donate his kidney for free in accordance with the UK law.
David was gotten a temporary visa to the UK by Ike Ekweremadu, and was coached to lie to the doctors at the Royal Free Hospital in London, said, prosecutor Hugh Davies KC.
David who has a limited knowledge of the plans, only realised at his first appointment with the consultant that he was there for kidney transplant, but was “visibly” relieved when told that it would not go ahead, it was claimed.
Ike 60, Beatrice 56 are “significant figures” in Nigeria, Mr. Davies told the jury. He said, “His status and influence had produced a significant degree of wealth”. He continued, saying, “They had international connections, there are, however, certain things that money and status can not guarantee in any family, and they include, good health.
The Ekweremadus who have a home in Willesden Green, north London, and Obeta, 50 of Southwark denied conspiring between August 2021 and May last year to exploit the Lagos trader.
Dr. Obinna Obeta is a classmate of Ike Ekweremadu’s brother, Diwe Ekweremadu who allegedly to have taken part in the conspiracy, but not on trial as he is in Nigeria.
Senator Ike Ekweremadu, and wife, Beatrice were arrested at the Heathrow Airport in London on June 21st 2022 while arriving from Turkey and have spent about eight (8) months in custody.
The court trial continues ——
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