July 07, (THEWILL) – David Ukpo Nwamini, the alleged victim of organ trafficking involving Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice, in the United Kingdom, has admitted before the Westminster Magistrates Court that he is actually 21 years old.
Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice, were arrested by the British police on June 23, on allegations of human trafficking and organ harvesting that violates the country’s Modern Slavery Act.
The police authorities had accused the lawmaker of conspiring to bring a child to the UK for organ harvesting, identifying the victim as a 15-year-old minor.
Former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, is back in the WestMinster Magistrates Court, the United Kingdom, for the continuation of his trial.
The court had adjourned until July 7, to determine whether the trial of Senator Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice, could continue in the UK over alleged conspiracy to traffic a “minor” into the country for “organ harvesting.”
The Uxbridge Magistrate Court had earlier adjourned the case to Thursday, July 7, after refusing Senator Ekweremadu and his wife bail.
At the resumption of trial on Thursday, the victim, Nwamini said he was not a minor as earlier claimed, indicating his real age to be 21.
While Gavin Irwin was the counsel, who represented Ekweremadu, his wife, Beatrice, was represented by Szilvia Booker.
Giving his opening address, Irwin, denied any form of exploitation in the case involving the Senator.
“We deny that there was exploitation or intent to do so”, he said.
Irwin argued that the victim, Nwamini lied about his age, but the prosecution insisted that he is a minor.
However, the court subsequently ruled that the victim is not a minor, but an adult, who is of full age, 21 years old.
Based on the judge’s ruling, the victim, David Ukpo, is no longer considered a minor in the trial.
The Ekweremadus will now appear at the Central Criminal Court in London, on August 4,for the continuation of the trial.
However, there was a show of support from the Nigerian High Commission in the UK at the court on Thursday.
Also, a number of Nigerians including lawmakers from the national Assembly were on ground in solidarity with Senator Ekweremadu.
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.
