The former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, and Beatrice, his wife, if found guilty and convicted, face life imprisonment under the United Kingdom law.
The UK’s Modern Slavery Act 2015 (MSA 2015) frowns at human trafficking, under which organ harvesting falls, and is punishable with maximum sentence of life imprisonment upon conviction.
The Act reads, “Under s 2, an individual commits an offence if they arrange or facilitate the travel of another with a view to that person being exploited. It is irrelevant whether that person consents to the travel, or whether they are a child or an adult.
“Under s 3 of MSA 2015, exploitation includes: slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour; sexual exploitation (which involves the commission of an offence under s 1(1)(a) of the Protection of Children’s Act 1978 (indecent photographs of children), or Pt 1 of SOA 2003 (eg, rape or sexual assault); removal of organs where a person is encouraged required or expected to do anything which involves the commission of an offence under ss 32 or 33 of the Human Tissue Act 2004 (prohibition of commercial dealings in organs and restrictions on use of live donors); securing services etc by force, threats or deception; securing services etc from children and vulnerable persons (eg, physically or mentally ill or disabled),” it states.
Read also: UK Magistrate Court Denies Senator Ekweremadu, wife Bail
It further stated that anyone found guilty of “human trafficking is liable on summary conviction to 12 months’ imprisonment and/or unlimited fine,” adding that “on conviction on indictment, the maximum sentence is life imprisonment.”
However, the Attorney-General of the England and Wales will decide if the couple will face trial in the UK over allegations of human trafficking/organ harvesting in 14 days.
Ike Ekweremadu and Beatrice who were arraigned before Uxbridge Magistrates Court on Thursday, June 23, were denied bail and also remanded in custody until July 7 pending further investigation.
Addressing the court, Damla Ayas, the crown prosecutor, noted that “part of the allegations” against the couple took place in Nigeria.
Ayas further revealed that the case was “unique” and would require a decision by Sue-Ellen Braverman, the attorney general, on where the trial will be held.
What Obi says
Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has reached out to the family of former deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, who was arrested and arraigned before a UK magistrate court on Thursday, June 23, over alleged organ harvesting.
Ekweremadu and his wife have been accused of taking a 15-year-old boy from Nigeria to the UK to harvest his kidney for their sick child.
Meanwhile, Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential candidate, wrote, ”My family and I are with the Ekweremadu’s over their travail.’’
Obi who was reaching out to the embattled former deputy senate president on his Twitter handle, Mr. Obi wrote, ‘’We join all men of goodwill in praying for the healing of their daughter and commit them into God’s hand for justice to be done. -PO”
