TheNewsGuru

Tag: London

  • BREAKING: Ekweremadu’s wife granted bail, Senator remains in custody

    BREAKING: Ekweremadu’s wife granted bail, Senator remains in custody

    The wife of Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Beatrice has been granted bail in the United Kingdom (UK), where they are facing trial over alleged organ trafficking.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Beatrice was granted bail on Monday but Senator Ekweremadu was denied bail.

    “The position is that I have granted bail to Beatrice subject to some fairly stringent conditions but I have refused bail to Ike,” MailOnline quoted Common Serjeant of London, Judge Richard Marks to have said.

    Prosecutors are not appealing the decision, the court heard.

    Ike and Beatrice were arrested in the UK on 21 June after flying into Heathrow from Turkey.

    They were accused of trafficking a 21-year-old Nigerian to London to harvest his kidney for their ailing daughter.

     

    Details shortly…

  • Bruce Onobrakpeya: Celebrating a creative genius @90

    Bruce Onobrakpeya: Celebrating a creative genius @90

    A prominent Deltan, an icon in the world of arts, Bruce Obomeyoma Onobrakpeya will be 90 on August. 30.

    Onobrakpeya is a Nigerian printmaker, painter and sculptor. He has exhibited at the Tate Modern in London, the National Museum of African Art of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. and the Malmö Konsthall in Malmö, Sweden.

    From August 4th through 6th a conference will be held to celebrate the Urhobo born arts master on his 60years of craftsmanship in commemoration of his 90th birthday with various themes ranging from: Urhobo culture, myths and legends and many others.

    See conference details below:

    Bruce

  • BREAKING: London court rules David Ukpo in Ekweremadu’s ordeal not a minor

    BREAKING: London court rules David Ukpo in Ekweremadu’s ordeal not a minor

    The Westminster Magistrate Court in London, United Kingdom (UK) has ruled that David Ukpo, who is in the middle of the organ harvesting trial of Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice, is not a minor.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the London court passed the ruling on Thursday, while adjourning the case till August 4.

    Earlier, TNG had reported the arrival of Ekweremadu and his at the West Minister Magistrates Court for the continuation of their trial.

    The prosecution have accepted that David Ukpo is 21, contrary to the claim of 15. The case was, thereafter, adjourned and transferred to the Criminal Court in Central London.

    Ekweremadu and Beatrice are to remain in custody till the next hearing date, per the court ruling. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.

    Recall that on Wednesday, a Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria ordered the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to supply the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) with the certified true copy (CTC) of biodata information of David Ukpo for onward transmission to the UK.

    Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the order following an omnibus application made by Muazu Mohammed, counsel for  NIMC, to the effect.

    Ekweremadu and wife, Beatrice had, in the application dated and filed on June 27 by their lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, sued NIMC and four others.

    Others mentioned in the suit are the Comptroller General (C-G), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS); Stanbic-IBTC Bank; United Bank of Africa (UBA) and Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc as 2nd to 5th respondents respectively.

    In the originating summons marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2022, the couple prayed the court for an order directing all the defendants to supply them with the CTC of Ukpo’s biodata in their care for the purpose of facilitating the criminal investigation and tendering same to establish their innocence with respect to Ukpo’s age in the criminal charges against them.

    Justice Ekwo granted the couple’s prayers by directing all the defendants to release the CTC of Ukpo’s biodata to the Ekweremadus.

    In his ruling, Justice Ekwo ordered NIMC to supply the information of biodata of David Ukpo’s national identification number which is in its care to the AGF for onward transmission to the UK.

    The couple were, on June 23, remanded in the UK police custody, after they were first arraigned before the  Uxbridge Magistrate Court for alleged conspiracy to facilitate the travel of Ukpo, alleged to be a minor, for organ harvesting.

    They, however, denied the allegations and the court adjourned till July 7 for hearing.

    Ekweremadu also appeared before the Uxbridge Magistrate Court on June 30 where he was denied a bail.

  • BREAKING: Ekweremadu, Beatrice arrive in court as proceedings begin

    BREAKING: Ekweremadu, Beatrice arrive in court as proceedings begin

    Former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife Beatrice have arrived at the Westminster Magistrate Court in London, United Kingdom (UK).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Ekweremadu and Beatrice arrived in the courtroom two hours after the trial was scheduled to commence.

    The Senator and his wife are facing trial for allegedly coercing a minor that has been identified as David Ukpo to the UK to have his organ harvested to save the life of the Senator’s daughter, Sonia.

    They were arrested by the Metropolitan Police and first charged before Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court, which adjourned the case to Westminster Magistrate Court to enable the UK Attorney General, Suella Braverman determine whether the case will be tried in the country or in Nigeria.

    TNG reports there has been counter evidence that Ukpo is not a minor as alleged and that proper documentation took place for his travel to the UK.

    At the time of filing this report, the judge has asked Ekweremadu and Beatrice to confirm their names and address, as well as their dates of birth.

    The proceedings are now in full swing.

    Details shortly…

  • BREAKING: Ekweremadu, wife appear in court again ahead of scheduled date

    Embattled Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice have again appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court in London, United Kingdom (UK) ahead of the scheduled date of July 7th.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Metropolitan Police arrested Ekweremadu and Beatrice and charged them before Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court last week for allegations related to modern day slavery and organ harvesting.

    The case was adjourned to July 7. However, Ekweremadu and Beatrice appeared in court on Thursday following interventions for the case to be given accelerated hearing.

    The former Deputy Senate President and his wife were again denied bail, with a reason that Ekweremadu and Beatrice are high profile persons and therefore flight risk.

    Meanwhile, the case has been moved to Westminster Magistrate Court for the next adjourned date to enable the UK Attorney General, Suella Braverman, to determine whether the case will be tried in the country or in Nigeria.

    Prosecutors claim that David Ukpo, who alleged that he was coerced to the UK to donate his kidney to the Senator’s daughter, is 15 years old.

    TNG reports that the Nigerian High Commissioner to Britain, Alhaji Isola Sarafa was present at the court. Two adults male children of Ekweremadu were also present in the court.

    On Wednesday, President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan had said he was in touch with Alhaji Sarafa, who provided some consular services that include the engagement of some lawyers who will defend Ekweremadu and wife.

    “Equally, the Nigeria Foreign Affairs Minister has been engaged here, so that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs takes steps to provide diplomatic support for our colleague.

    “We have also mandated our committee on foreign affairs to engage with the British high commission here in Nigeria, to find more details on this case, as  as far as the high commission is involved,” Lawan said.

    TNG reports a delegation has also been drafted by the Senate to visit London to see Ekweremadu and his wife.

     

     

    Details shortly…

  • Ekweremadu’s ordeal: Senate sends delegation to London

    President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has disclosed that a delegation from its Committee on Foreign Affairs would depart Nigeria for London on July 1, 2022, to pay a visit to Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, who are both presently in detention over an allegation of organ harvesting.

    Lawan made this known on Wednesday, while giving details into the outcome of a closed session held by the upper chamber before the start of plenary proceedings.

    The closed door session which started about 10:57 a.m ended at 11:49 a.m.

    According to Lawan, the decision to wade into Ekweremadu’s arrest and detention was against the backdrop of a briefing received by the Nigerian High Commissioner to London.

    He further disclosed that the Senate would engage the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigerian High Commission in London on the recent arrest of Senator Ike Ekweremadu by the London Metropolitan Police in the United Kingdom.

    He said, “I had a personal engagement with our Nigerian High Commissioner to Britain, Alhaji Isola Sarafa, who has done so well to establish contact with our colleague, who has been able to get his team to be in the court at Uxbridge  where Ekweremadu was taken to.

    “The high Commission has also been able to provide some consular services that include the engagement of some lawyers who will defend our colleague.

    “We commend them for giving attention to the issue at stake. Equally, the Nigeria Foreign Affairs Minister has been engaged here, so that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs takes steps to provide diplomatic support for our colleague.

    “Because this issue is already in court, we have limited opportunity to discuss beyond what we have done so far.

    “But I want to ensure the family of our colleague, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and Nigerians, that the Senate will continue to engage with our ministry of foreign affairs as well as our high commission in London.

    “The High Commission has done so much but we still expect that it will continue to provide any other further consular services.

    “We have also mandated our committee on foreign affairs to engage with the British high commission here in Nigeria, to find more details on this case, as  as far as the high commission is involved.

    “There will be a delegation to London to see Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife. A delegation from the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Senate will leave in the next two days to London for that purpose.

    “I want to urge all all federal government institutions that can do anything to ensure that Justice prevails in this case, that they do so.”

  • Ekweremadu: Immigration confirms age of touted organ donor

    The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has confirmed the age of David Ukpo, the touted organ donor in the saga involving Senator Ike Ekweremadu and wife, Beatrice to be 21.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the Comptroller General of NIS, Isa Jere made the confirmation while speaking to newsmen on Sunday.

    Jere confirmed that Ukpo is actually 21 years and not 15 as carried in many media reports.

    Recall Ekweremadu and his wife were arrested by The Metropolitan Police at the Heathrow Airport, London for alleged human trafficking and organ harvesting.

    They were arraigned on Thursday before Uxbridge Magistrates Court, but were denied bail and remanded in custody till July 7.

  • JUST IN: UK varsity suspends Ekweremadu as visiting professor

    JUST IN: UK varsity suspends Ekweremadu as visiting professor

    The University of Lincoln, a public research university in Lincoln, England has suspended Senator Ike Ekweremadu as visiting professor.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports University of Lincoln’s spokesperson made this known on Friday as per a Daily Mail report.

    Recall that Ekweremadu, who is a former Deputy Senate President of the Nigerian Senate, was arrested along with his wife, Beatrice in the UK on Thursday.

    They were arrested for allegations related to child trafficking, potential modern slavery and organ harvesting.

    They were later charged before the Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court in London, denied bail and remanded in custody.

    According to the university’s spokesperson, Ekweremadu’s duties at the institution have been suspended for the time being.

    “Visiting professors are often, as is in this case, non-resident at the university, unpaid and advisory,” the university’s spokesperson said.

    The spokesperson added: “We are deeply concerned about the nature of these allegations, but as this is an active police investigation, we cannot comment further at this stage.

    ALSO READ || Organ harvest: How the bubble burst on Ekweremadu, wife

    “Whilst this matter is subject to investigation, this person will not be undertaking any duties as visiting professor at Lincoln”.

    TNG reports Ekweremadu was announced a visiting professor at the University of Lincoln barely two weeks ago.

  • Identity of boy in organ harvest saga of Ekweremadu, wife revealed

    The identity of the “15-year-old” involved in the organ harvest case involving the former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice Nwanneka Ekweremadu has been revealed.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the identity of the “15-year-old” was revealed as contained in a letter addressed to the Visa Section of the British High Commission in Abuja by Senator Ekweremadu on December 28, 2021.

    However, his age in the passport submitted for the visa application is 21 years.

    The letter obtained by this medium also revealed the identity of Ekweremadu’s daughter, who needed the donation of a kidney from David. The identity of Ekweremadu’s daughter was revealed as Sonia Ekweremadu.

    The letter reads in part: “I am writing in support of the visa application made by Mr Ukpo Nwamini David who is currently having medical investigations for a kidney donation to Ms Sonia Ekweremadu.

    “David and Sonia will be at the Royal Free Hospital London, and I will be providing the necessary funding.

    “I have enclosed a statement of my bank account. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require additional information”.

    See attached letter below:

    letter addressed to the Visa Section of the British High Commission in Abuja by Senator Ekweremadu on December 28, 2021.
    Letter addressed to the Visa Section of the British High Commission in Abuja by Senator Ekweremadu on December 28, 2021.

    Recall that the former Deputy Senate President was arrested along with his wife on their way to Istanbul, Turkey.

    The couple was arrested at Heathrow airport, and according to prosecutors, it is believed that they were on their way to procuring another organ as they were unable to harvest the organ of David.

    The prosecutors at the Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court in London narrated how the Ekweremadus allegedly maltreated the young boy, which led to their arrest.

  • Organ harvest: How the bubble burst on Ekweremadu, wife

    Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice Nwanneka Ekweremadu were on Thursday charged before the Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court in London, United Kingdom (UK).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Ekweremadu and Beatrice were charged for bringing in a 15-year-old boy [name withheld] to the UK with the claim that he was to be given a better life.

    Prosecutors at the London court, however, narrated how the Ekweremadus allegedly maltreated the young boy, which led to their arrest.

    According to the prosecutors, Senator Ekweremadu and Beatrice have a daughter, who has a kidney-related disease and has been on dialysis for quite some time.

    Arise TV reported that the Ekweremadus then trafficked the 15-year-old boy from Lagos to the UK with the ulterior motive to harvest his organ.

    They told the court that it is believed that the plan was to use an organ from the boy on their daughter who appears to need a kidney transplant.

    The prosecutors at the court said the Ekweremadus brought the boy into the UK with the claim that he was to be given a better life but was actually to have his organ harvested.

    Arise TV reports that according to the prosecutors, the Ekweremadus found the boy off the streets in Lagos, he was homeless and they brought him to the UK under the pretence of offering him a better life.

    The prosecutors told the court that the former Deputy Senate President procured a passport for the boy and claimed he was 21 years old but they discovered that he was 15 years old.

    The bubble burst after the boy truthfully disclosed his age, 15, to the doctors at the Royal Free Hospital in the UK.

    TNG reports the doctors then cancelled the procedure and the boy was immediately taken into the custody of the family, who according to the prosecutors treated him like a slave until he escaped and found his way to the police, where an investigation started, leading to the arrest of the couple.

    The couple was arrested at Heathrow airport, on their way to Istanbul, Turkey and according to the prosecutors, it is believed that they were on their way to procure another organ as they were unable to harvest the organ of the boy.

    The prosecutors also stated that $20,000 cash was found on Mr Ekweremadu.

    However, the defence counsel to Ekweremadu insisted that there was far more than meets the eye regarding the case.

    Ekweremadu and his wife had separate legal representatives and prayed the court to release them on bail but their prayers were dismissed by the Magistrate.

    After much deliberation, the Magistrate ordered their remand in custody till July 7 for the next hearing on the case.

    TNG reports the couple has surrendered their passports to the UK government.