A Nigerian couple, Beatrice (55) and Ike (60) Ekweremadu, have been arrested by the Metropolitan Police over alleged child organ harvesting.
According to a statement by the Met police, the former Nigerian deputy Senate President and his wife have been charged with conspiracy to arrange the travel of a child to the United Kingdom in order to harvest organs.
Ike and his wife are currently in police custody and will appear at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court, London later on Thursday while the child has been taken to safety.
The Met Police statement read, “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.”
