Former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, and wife, Beatrice, have been arrested in London for bringing a child to the UK for organ harvesting.
According to the Metropolitan Police, the child has been rescued while the Nigerian lawmaker and his wife are currently in custody before arraignment at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court.
In a statement, Metropolitan Police said: “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 under way we will not be providing further details.”
Ekweremadu became a senator representing Enugu West in 2003 and has been in the Upper Chamber since then. He was the Deputy Senate President for three consecutive terms (2007-2019).