Mr. Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has expressed support for Ike Ekweremadu, former deputy senate president who is facing charges of trafficking and attempt to harvest organs in the United Kingdom.
Ekweremadu and his wife were charged to the Uxbridge Magistrates Court on Thursday and remanded in custody until July 7 pending further investigation.
The Nigerian lawmaker, whose daughter is in need of organ transplant, had taken a donor to the UK for the purpose carrying out a transplant, but the donor, a male told UK authorities that he’s 15, which makes him a minor, even as his documents say he’s 21.
“My family and I are with the Ekweremadu’s over their travail. We join all men of goodwill in praying for the healing of their daughter and commit them into God’s hand for justice to be done,” Obi tweeted on Friday.
My family and I are with the Ekweremadu’s over their travail. We join all men of goodwill in praying for the healing of their daughter and commit them into God’s hand for justice to be done. -PO
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) June 24, 2022
Meanwhile, attorney-general of the England and Wales is to decide, within 14 days, if Ekweremadu, and his wife, Beatrice, will face trial in the UK over the allegations of human trafficking.
Damla Ayas, the crown prosecutor, told on the court that part of the allegations against the couple took place in Nigeria.
According to him, the case was “unique” and would require a decision by Sue-Ellen Braverman (pictured), the attorney general, on where the trial will be held.
On Thursday, the London metropolitan police announced that the Ekweremadus were charged to court over the allegation of bringing a child to the UK for organ harvesting.
The London metropolitan police said they were charged following an investigation by the police’ 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.
Ekweremadu had in December 2021 written a letter to the British high commission in Nigeria backing the visa application of a potential kidney donor to his daughter.
He said the donor and his daughter “will be at the Royal Free Hospital London”, adding that he would “be providing the necessary funding”.
Although the donor is said to be 21 on his international passport, the Met police said he claims to be 15 and is thus regarded as a minor.
The prosecution told the court that an appointment was made for the “teenager” at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead but the consultant refused to proceed because he had concerns “about the 15-year-old boy”.
He returned to the address of the Ekweremadus in London before reporting to a police station.