TheCable

Sonia Ekweremadu, daughter of Ike Ekweremadu, former deputy senate president, appeared in a UK court on Monday amid a trial over alleged organ harvesting.

According to Daily Mail, Sonia is charged with conspiracy to arrange the travel of another person with a view to harvest the person’s organ for her benefit.

Ekweremadu’s daughter is said to be suffering from a kidney disease and needs a transplant.

The former deputy senate president and Beatrice, his wife, are facing charges bordering on conspiracy to arrange/facilitate the travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting.

The couple were arrested by London Metropolitan Police in June and appeared before a magistrate court in July.

Ekweremadu’s wife was granted bail on July 22, but the senator’s request was denied.

The police had alleged that David Ukpo, the reported victim at the centre of the organ harvesting allegation, is a 15-year-old but the court ruled that he is 21.

The Central Criminal Court had adjourned the case till November for pretrial applications, while the trial is to commence fully on May 2, 2023.

But the case has been brought forward to January 2023, according to Daily Mail.

The defendants were said to have been due to enter their pleas on Monday but this could not take place because of “further legal argument”.

“We are told that this court is in a position to accommodate the trial…three months earlier,” Daily Mail quoted Oliver Glasgow, a prosecutor, as saying.

“If an earlier date can be offered, and one can be, then it should be taken.”

Sonia and her mother were said to have appeared in court on Monday, while the senator was absent.

The hearing has been adjourned till December 16.