By It appears there is more than meets the eye in the ordeal of a former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice who are currently remanded in a UK prison over organ harvesting charges.
It would be recalled that the couple were arrested by the UK Metropolitan Police over alleged conspiracy to harvest the organs of a a child, who is now in protective custody.
On Thursday, Ekweremadu and his wife were arraigned before the Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court. The court, however, denied their bail application, and adjourned the case till July 7.
Meanwhile, documents have revealed that contrary to claims that the victim is a minor, he is actually 21 years old.
Ekweremadu had written a letter to the British High Commission about a kidney donation for his daughter, Sonia. The said letter accompanied the media visa application of one David Ukpo Nwamini.
A copy of the international passport said to be belonging to the above mentioned individual was seen by BlackBox Nigeria on Friday.
Checks on the data page of the passport shows that it bears David Ukpo Nwamini — the same name mentioned in Ekweremadu’s letter — with his date of birth indicated as October 12, 2000.
It was also discovered that Ukpo registered for his Bank Verification Number (BVN) on January 31, 2019. The date of birth on the BVN data page is the same as indicated on the international passport.
However, under British law, being above 18 is not enough. The question of consent is another burden the Ekweremadus will have to discharge.
If convicted, the couple may get a maximum of life sentence or 12 months imprisonment or a fine or both on summary conviction under the United Kingdom’s Modern Slavery Act 2015.
