Ike Ekweremadu, wife accused of bringing child to UK for organ harvesting
Nigeria’s former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu may be staring at a maximum of 10 years in the UK prison, should he be convicted of child trafficking offences.
Recall that Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice were in the early hours of Thursday arrested and charged for bringing a child to the UK for organ harvesting.
Under the UK law, “on summary conviction, a defendant found guilty of a trafficking offence faces up to 12 months imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. On conviction on indictment, the maximum sentence is 10 years’ imprisonment. However, where the offence involves false imprisonment or kidnapping, it is life imprisonment,” according to InBrief, a leading UK legal information website.
It noted, “Under Section 2, an individual commits an offence if they arrange or facilitate the travel of another with a view to that person being exploited.”
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The UK Met Police, while confirming the arrests in a statement, said the couple were charged to court on Thursday following an investigation by the force’s specialist crime team.
The police added that the investigation was launched after detectives were alerted to potential offences under modern slavery legislation in May 2022.
The statement reads, “Beatrice Nwanneka Ekweremadu, 55 (10.9.66) of Nigeria is charged with conspiracy to arrange/facilitate the travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting,” the statement reads.
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“Ike Ekweremadu, 60 (12.05.62) of Nigeria is charged with conspiracy to arrange/facilitate the travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting.
“They have both been remanded in custody and will appear at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court later today.”
“A child has been safeguarded and we are working closely with partners on continued support.
“As criminal proceedings are now underway we will not be providing further details.”