Pictorial: Senate panel in Westminster Magistrate Court for Ekweremadu’s ‘organ harvest’ case

Former President of the Nigerian Senate, David Mark, along with the immediate past Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba and the Nigerian Senate panel led by Adamu Muhammad Bulkachuwa, Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs on Thursday arrived the Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London, the United Kingdom to observe the trial of former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice.

Ekweremadu, a former Deputy Senate President along with his wife were last month arrested by the London Metropolitan Police. This follows allegations that the duo conspired to harvest the organs of a self-acclaimed teenager, David Ukpo who was flown from Lagos to London.

David Ukpo who according to reports had agreed to donate his organ to Ekweremadu’s ailing daughter, Sonia had claimed that he is 15 years, a claim faulted by Immigration office which puts his age at 21. The couple were earlier tried at the Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court in London and denied bail. The prosecutors claimed that the victim, David said he was coerced into the organ donation deal.

Sen. Ekweremadu and his wife Beatrice are standing trial for conspiracy to arrange or facilitate the travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting. At the trial on Thursday, the UK Attorney General, Suella Braverman, is expected to determine whether the case will be tried in the country or Nigeria. The Nigerian Senate had last week pledged its support to Ekweremadu and his wife to ensure the duo get a fair hearing over the allegation.