The London Metropolitan Police have arrested and charged two Nigerians with conspiracy to traffic a child to the United Kingdom in order to harvest organs.
The accused are former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and wife Beatrice Ekweremadu.
The police said on Thursday, June 23 that the charges followed an investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime team.
According to a statement by the police, 55-year-old Beatrice is charged with conspiracy to arrange/facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting.
Also, it said the 60-year-old Ekweremadu is charged with conspiracy to arrange/facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting.
“The investigation was launched after detectives were alerted to potential offences under modern slavery legislation in May 2022,” the police said.
Ekeweremadu and his wife, the police noted, have been remanded in custody and will appear at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, June 23.
The statement noted that further details will not be provided as criminal proceedings are now underway.
“A child has been safeguarded and we are working closely with partners on continued support,” it added, without revealing the child’s gender.
Meanwhile, Ekweremadu and his wife were charged for allegedly facilitating the travel of a child with a view to harvesting his organ.
It was earlier reported that the couple had been charged with conspiracy to bring a child to the United Kingdom for the purposes of organ harvesting.
According to the UK Metropolitan police, the charges were filed following an investigation by the police specialist crime team.
The investigation was said to have been launched after detectives discovered potential offences under modern slavery legislation last month.
A statement by MET police reads: “A woman and a man were charged today with conspiring to arrange the travel of a child into the UK in order to harvest organs.
“The charges follow an investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime team.
“[A] Beatrice Nwanneka Ekweremadu, 55 (10.9.66) of Nigeria is charged with conspiracy to arrange/facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting.
“[B] Ike Ekweremadu, 60 (12.05.62) of Nigeria is charged with conspiracy to arrange/facilitate 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.
“The investigation was launched after detectives were alerted to potential offences under modern slavery legislation in May 2022.
“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.”
The Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court has adjourned the case till July, 7, 2022