The West Minister Magistrates Court, United Kingdom accepted that David Ukpo, the kidney donor in the case of former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice is not a minor.
Ekweremadu and his wife were arrested by the British police on June 23 on allegations of human trafficking and organ harvesting that violate the country’s Modern Slavery Act.
The police authorities had accused the lawmaker of conspiring to bring a child to the United Kingdom for organ harvesting, saying the victim was a 15-year-old boy.
During the continuation of the case, on Thursday, the prosecution has accepted that he is 21 years old, contrary to earlier claims that he is 15 years old.
The case was adjourned till August 4, 2022.
Gavin Irwin was the counsel who represented Ekweremadu, while Szilvia Booker represented the wife.
A high-powered Nigerian delegation was in court for the trial of the former Deputy Senate President.
Former Senate President David Mark, whom Ekweremadu worked with; former senate minority leader, Eyinnanya Abaribe; former Minister of State for Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba; and Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Adamu Bulkachuwa, were all in court.
Earlier, the counsel of Ekweremadu denied any form of exploitation in case.
He said, “We deny that there was exploitation or intent to do so.”
The counsel said this while presently giving his opening address.
The lawyers of the defendants argued that the victim lied about his age but the prosecution insisted that he is a minor. The court subsequently ruled that the victim is not a minor.
Based on the judge’s ruling, the victim, David Ukpo, is no longer considered a minor in the trial.
The Ekweremadus will appear at the Central Criminal Court in London on August 4 for the continuation of the trial
