A Nigerian doctor residing in Southwark, South London, Obinna Obeta, has been charged with plotting with the former deputy senate president, Mr. Ike Ekweremadu and wife, Beatrice, his to traffic a man into the UK to harvest a kidney for their daughter.
According to the Daily Mail, Obeta appeared before Bexley Magistrates’ court on July 13 and is charged under the modern slavery act with arranging the travel of a 21-year-old man between August 2021 and May 2022 with a view to exploit him.
He is also accused of conspiring with the lawmaker to arrange or facilitate the travel of the man with a view to him being exploited through organ harvesting.
Recall that Ekweremadu was charged by the UK Metropolitan Police with conspiracy to facilitate the travel of another person for organ harvesting.
The prosecutor had insisted that David Ukpo, the donor, was a minor, though he was listed as 21 years old on his passport and the Bank Verification Number (BVN) portal.
The prosecutor had insisted that David Ukpo, the donor, was a minor, though he was listed as 21 years old on his passport and the Bank Verification Number (BVN) portal.
A court had ordered the Nigerian authorities to release the biodata of the said organ donor to form part of Ekweremadu’s defence at the Westminster magistrates’ court.
The Westminster magistrates’ court in the UK ruled that Ukpo is not a minor after the counsel to the Ekweremadus made an argument on the matter.
The defendants’ lawyers informed the court of a bail application they intend to file in the first week of August.
All three defendants, who are in custody, are due to appear at the Old Bailey on August 4.
Recall that the couple was arrested at Heathrow Airport on June 21 after arriving on a flight from Turkey. They appeared at the Old Bailey Friday for a bail hearing.
The couple denied wrongdoing or that there was a criminal conspiracy, and claimed no exploitation occurred.
