The Westminster Magistrate court in the UK has ruled that David Ukpo who was to donate his kidney to the ailing daughter of former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, is not a minor.
Recall that Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice, were on June 23 arraigned before the court on charges bordering on conspiracy to arrange/facilitate the travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting.
The Ekweremadus were arrested after David raised an alarm that he was 15 years old and was brought to the UK for his kidney to be harvested. He was on the verge of being operated on at the Royal Fee Hospital when he opted out and informed the doctors that he was ’15”.
However, his details with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and with two bank accounts he operates in Nigeria show he is 21 years old.
At the hearing of the case today, July 7, the Ekweremadus pleaded not guilty to the charges of human trafficking and organ harvesting in the United Kingdom.
Counsel to the Ekweremadus argued that the victim lied about his age but the prosecution insisted that he is a minor. The court has now ruled that the victim is not a minor.
Thereafter, the judge adjourned the case till August 4. Meanwhile, the UK attorney-general has approved that the case be tried at the Central Criminal Court in London.
The Ekweremadus are to remain in custody till the next hearing.