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Tag: UK

  • 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.

  • BREAKING: Ike Ekweremadu denied bail in UK court

    Former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu has been denied bail at Uxbridge Magistrate court in the UK.

    Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice were arraigned for conspiracy to arrange the travel of a child, child trafficking, potential modern slavery, and organ harvesting.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Ekweremadus were arrested and kept in custody by the Police before their arraignment.

    Ekweremadu and his wife had separate legal representations and prayed the court to release them on bail but their prayer was however dismissed by the Magistrate.

    The couple has surrendered their passports to the UK government.

  • BREAKING: London Police arrest Senator Ekweremadu, wife in UK

    BREAKING: London Police arrest Senator Ekweremadu, wife in UK

    Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice Nwanneka Ekweremadu have been arrested in the United Kingdom (UK) and remanded in custody.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Ekweremadu and Beatrice were arrested for offences related to child trafficking, potential modern slavery and organ harvesting.

    According to a statement by Metropolitan Police obtained by TNG, they will appear at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court later today.

    Ekweremadu and Beatrice were charged with conspiring to arrange the travel of a child [name withheld] into the UK in order to harvest organs.

    The investigation was launched after detectives were alerted to potential offences under modern slavery legislation in May 2022.

    Meanwhile, according to the statement by the London police, the child has been safeguarded and is being provided support.

    The statement reads: “A woman and a man were charged today with conspiring to arrange the travel of a child into the UK in order to harvest organs.

    “The charges follow an investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime team.

    “[A] Beatrice Nwanneka Ekweremadu, 55 (10.9.66) of Nigeria is charged with conspiracy to arrange/facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting.

    “[B] Ike Ekweremadu, 60 (12.05.62) of Nigeria is charged with conspiracy to arrange/facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting.

    “They have both been remanded in custody and will appear at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court later today.

    “The investigation was launched after detectives were alerted to potential offences under modern slavery legislation in May 2022.

    “A child has been safeguarded and we are working closely with partners on continued support.

    “As criminal proceedings are now under way we will not be providing further details”.

    ALSO READ || See offences UK police are charging Ekweremadu, wife with at Uxbridge Court

    TNG reports Ekweremadu is a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He has served in the Senate since May 2003. He was Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate for three consecutive Senate.

  • Prepare for loneliness, depression, Nigerians in the UK tell those seeking to relocate

    A Nigerian lady based in the U.K has dished out an advice to those who are hoping to relocate to the European country.

    In a video she shared on her TikTok page, @preshe_vibe she said those preparing to come should also prepare for depression as they’ll be depressed at least five times a week.

    She also claimed they will battle with mental health issues and emotional stress even if they felt they were strong in Nigeria.

    “I will never advise you not to come to the UK, my brother feel free to come o. But let me advice you based on experience…prepare for depression. Prepare to be depressed at least five times in a week.

    “No matter how strong you think you are, when you get here, you ain’t strong. It’s a totally different thing. Depression, mental health, emotional stress, everything.

    She added that for her, Nigeria still has the best food, music and remains her favourite country to live in, despite the challenges.

    “You won’t believe if I tell you am on my way back sis. Making plans honey. I can’t come and die for nothing,” he added.

    Other Nigerians residing in the UK also took to twitter to share their experiences, corroborating the warning that life could get lonely and force one to slip into depression sometimes.

    In a twitter space session hosted for the Nigerian community in the UK on Sunday, a member of the community named Dare who is studying conservation biology at Napier University said he sometimes is bothered by the fact that he is the only dark-skinned person in his class.

    “In my course, I’m not the only Nigerian, I’m the only black person. If you come to my campus, I’m not sure you can see ten dark-skinned people at a particular point in time.

    “So if you’re coming to Edinburgh Scotland, or places like Aberdeen or Dundeen, you might be the only black person in the next 200-meter radius. At some point, if they count 100, 000 people, you might be the only black person.

    “So prepare for the shock especially if you’re coming around August-September because that’s when we have a lot of tourists in the city,” he said.

    Another member of the community, who identified himself as Azubike lamented that it can really be lonely sometimes and most Nigerians find solace in working round the clock.

    “It all boils down to the whole loneliness thingy. If you don’t have people to talk to, or people to go out with basically and spend the money, then it means you should be making more money,” he said.

    Also contributing to the discussion, Oluwalesi said that the loneliness experienced can have psychological implications.

    “Depression is real in this country, it’s not a joke. Loneliness is a problem here. Where you have barely nobody to talk to, you are always online or studying. I think it has a psychological effect,” he said.

    A Council of Europe report gives a figure of 100,000 Nigerians in the UK but suggests that this is likely to be an underestimate since it does not include irregular migrants or children born outside of Nigeria.

  • UK closes Nigerian-owned church over financial impropriety

    UK closes Nigerian-owned church over financial impropriety

    A United Kingdom High Court has ordered the closure of Salvation Proclaimer Ministries Limited, a church led by Nigeria-born Tobi Adegboyega, over alleged financial mismanagement and lack of transparency in its operations.

    In a statement published to the UK government website on Friday, the church, popularly known as SPAC Nation, was said to have been closed “in the public interest.”

    The church, according to the statement, was wound up “after failing to properly account for more than £1.87 million of outgoings and operating with a lack of transparency” in the High Court on June 9, 2022 before Judge Burton.

    The statement partly read, “Salvation Proclaimer Ministries Limited, more commonly known as SPAC Nation, was wound up in the public interest in the High Court on 9 June 2022 before Judge Burton. The Official Receiver has been appointed as liquidator of the company.

    “The court heard that SPAC Nation was incorporated in 2012, a charity set up to advance Christianity. Much of its charitable work was based in London, working particularly with vulnerable people, youth, and offenders.”

    While noting that SPAC Nation, which was incorporated on 10 September 2012, initially had positive reviews and media attention, the statement said the church “was subject to media scrutiny following allegations by former church members they had been financially exploited by senior church personnel” by late 2019.

    The statement further said the church failed to comply with statutory requirements and made claims without providing supporting information.

    It stated, “Investigators interviewed one of the company’s directors, Adedapo Olugbenga Adegboyega, who was also known as Dapo Adegboyega or Pastor Dapo. During interviews, Mr Adegboyega said that the church group had over 2,000 members and 200 ordained ministers and pastors but failed to provide any supporting information.

  • UK citizens lose right to participate in EU municipal elections

    UK citizens lose right to participate in EU municipal elections

    The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that British expatriates lost their right to participate in municipal elections in EU countries after the UK left the European Union in 2020.

    The EU’s top court said in a statement on Thursday that British nationals no longer enjoyed the status of citizen of the Union, more specifically, the right to vote and to stand as a candidate in municipal elections in their Member State of residence.

    EU citizens residing in another country of the bloc could take part in communal elections.

    The ECJ said the loss of the right to vote or run is an automatic consequence of the sole sovereign decision taken by the United Kingdom to withdraw from the European Union.

    Thursday’s ruling was meant to clarify the complaint of a British woman who had resided in France since 1984.

    After Brexit, she was barred from voting in the French municipal elections held in March 2020.

    Since the plaintiff lived abroad for more than 15 years, she had also lost the right to take part in British elections under national law, the ECJ wrote in the statement.

  • UK to grant work visas to graduates from top foreign universities

    Britain on Monday said it would offer work visas to graduates from the world’s best universities in an expansion of its post-Brexit immigration system that is designed to attract the “best and brightest” workers.

    Since leaving the European Union, Britain has ended the priority given to EU citizens and introduced a points-based immigration system that ranks applicants on everything from their qualifications and language skills to the type of job offered to them.

    However, the country has faced a tight labour market for several years compounded by Brexit and COVID-19 and companies in manufacturing, logistics and the food sector have urged the government to loosen the rules for entry-level jobs.

    Under the scheme, graduates with a bachelor’s or master’s degree from the top 50 universities abroad can apply for a two-year work visa and will be allowed to bring family members with them.

    Those who receive doctorates can apply for a three-year visa.

    Successful applicants will then be able to switch to longer-term employment visas, the government said.

    Rishi Sunak, the finance minister, said it would enable Britain to grow as an international hub for innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship.

    “We want the businesses of tomorrow to be built here today which is why I call on students to take advantage of this incredible opportunity to forge their careers here,” Sunak said.

    Under the new scheme, applicants must have been awarded degrees no more than five years before the date of application.

    Eligible universities must appear in the top 50 rankings of at least two of the following: the Times Higher Education world university rankings, the Academic Ranking of World Universities and the Quacquarelli Symonds world university rankings.

    The most recent list of eligible universities from 2021, published online by the UK government, comprises more than two dozen U.S. universities, as well as institutions in Canada, Japan, Germany, China, Singapore, France and Sweden.

    The government said candidates must pass a security and criminality check, and be able to speak, read, listen and write English to an intermediate level.

  • Jonathan wants FG’s arbitration cases held in Nigeria, not UK

    Jonathan wants FG’s arbitration cases held in Nigeria, not UK

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has faulted the hearing of arbitrations for the contracts entered by the Federal Government with International Organizations in the United Kingdom.

    Jonathan made case for the hosting of such arbitration sessions within Nigeria.

    The former president advocated the position on Saturday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital, during a launch of the book titled “Arbitration and Dispute Resolution in Nigeria”.

    The book is written by King Collins Daniel, the Traditional Ruler Abureni kingdom, in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

    He also charged the bodies responsible for arbitration or resolving disputes in the country to work hard to ensure arbitration for the government contracts are done in the country for proper understanding.

    Jonathan explained that resolving disputes outside the court room is short, less expensive and makes people more bound to the terms morally.

    According to him: “Let me use this unique opportunity to charge the bodies in this country that are responsible for either arbitration or resolving issues to work hard to ensure that arbitrations are done in Nigeria.

    “Because all the contracts the Nigeria government entered with international organisations, arbitrations are always done in the United Kingdom. Can’t we do some of these arbitrations in Nigeria?

    “I don’t know why it must be the United Kingdom, why it must be outside Nigeria, I think we need to work hard, so that some of these things will be done here in Nigeria.

    “As non lawyers, we look at issues of resolving disputes in two different ways, one that takes place in the courtroom and one that takes place outside the courtroom.

    “We think that society is so complex, going to court for judges to settle our disputes solved all our problems because judges decide based on the facts presented to them, that is why people still get back home and start fighting.

    “More especially issues like land cases and Chieftaincy cases, so I believe solving disputes outside the courtroom will be a better and shorter way than going through court processes,” he said.

    The author of the book and Olila-Ebhugh of Abureni kingdom, King Daniel, said he used his experience as a legal practitioner, law teacher and a traditional ruler to write the book, to help the society on how to resolve issues properly and permanently.

    According to him, dispute resolution is a key because in every society, there is bound to be dispute and the way the dispute is resolved to the satisfaction of every party brings lasting peace in the society.

    King Charles Owaba, the Paramount Ruler of Ogbia Kingdom, said that the traditional institution was the fundamental arbitration and dispute resolution system in Nigeria.

    He commended the author for putting pen and book together to come up with such work, to settle disputes without the court.

    NAN

  • I’m experiencing difficult times at Oxford University – DJ Cuppy

    I’m experiencing difficult times at Oxford University – DJ Cuppy

    Business tycoon and billionaire Femi Otedola’s daughter Florence , International Disk Jockey, professionally known as DJ Cuppy, has opened up on her tasking Msc programme currently on at the university of Oxford, England.

    The Gelato crooner revealed that the pursuit of a Master degree t the prestigious Oxford varsity has taken a toll on her as she approaches the end of the programme.

    Taking to her Instagram stories, the singer posted a picture of her face lined with tears which she captioned, “Late library nights.”

    “Haven’t been online for a few days as I’ve been dealing with my last term at Oxford University,” she said. “My thesis is due soon and I am under so much pressure to deliver at such a high academic standard. Having never done a research paper before, it’s extremely draining in a mental and even emotional way.”

    Cuppy also revealed in the post that she suffered from Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Anxiety, both of which had made studying difficult for her.

    “My diagnosed ADHD and Anxiety have gotten the best of me. I’m going through a rough time, I know but it shall soon pass, and I will finish this paper and hand it in. I have full Godfidence,” she wrote.

    In March 2021, the artiste revealed that she had been accepted into Oxford for a master’s degree in African Studies.

  • NCDC investigating Monkeypox case in UK with connection to Nigeria

    NCDC investigating Monkeypox case in UK with connection to Nigeria

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), says it is investigating the incident of Monkeypox with a connection to Nigeria in collaboration with the Lagos and Delta State Ministries of Health.

    The Director-General, NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, told newsmen on Thursday from Abuja, that the investigation is also being done with the Monkeypox Technical Working Group.

    The group comprises the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and US Centres for Disease Control (US CDC).

    NAN reports that the NCDC has been officially notified by United Kingdom (UK) authorities of a confirmed case of Monkeypox with a connection to Nigeria.

    Monkeypox is a virus that is spread primarily from animals to humans, with symptoms such as fever, headaches, body pains, malaise and enlargement of glands (lymphadenopathy).

    Other symptoms of monkeypox, which could last for two to four weeks, include sore throat and fluid-filled body rashes (vesicular rash).

    Transmission is via direct contact with infected animals, human, or contaminated materials. The virus does not spread easily between people and the risk of transmission to the wider public is very low.

    Monkeypox is generally self-limiting, which means patients tend to recover in a couple of weeks. However, supportive care and management of the condition is required and mostly successful.

    Control measures include isolation of suspected or confirmed cases, strict adherence to universal precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, and the use of personal protective equipment.

    Adetifa said that the NCDC would be coordinating the collaboration to strengthen in-country capacity to prevent, detect and respond to Monkeypox cases in the country.

    “We would like to provide some more details about this case. On 7th May 2022, the NCDC was notified by the UK International Health Regulations (IHR) national focal point of a case of monkeypox detected in a patient with recent travel history to Nigeria.

    “The individual is a UK resident who arrived in Nigeria on 20th April 2022, travelled to Lagos and Delta States during the time spent in Nigeria, departed Lagos on 3rd May, 2022, and arrived in the UK on 4th May, 2022.

    “While in Nigeria, the case did not report being in contact with anyone with symptoms of monkeypox or other illnesses with rash. The diagnosis of monkeypox (West African clade) was confirmed by PCR in the UK on 6th May 2022.

    “The patient is currently stable and receiving care in the UK,” he said.

    The DG said that since the re-emergence of monkeypox in the country in September 2017, the country has continued to record sporadic cases of the disease from states across the country.

    “Between September 2017 and 30th April 2022, a total of 558 cases and eight deaths have been confirmed from 22 states. Of these, 15 cases were confirmed in 2022 alone – this does NOT constitute an outbreak.

    “The highest number of cases have been reported from states in the South-South region of Nigeria. NCDC’s monthly situation report on Monkeypox can be accessed using this link – https://ncdc.gov.ng/diseases/sitreps/?cat=8&name=An%20Update%20of%20Monkeypo x%20Outbreak%20in%20Nigeria

    “We re-assure Nigerians of the NCDC’s capacity to effectively diagnose and respond to cases of Monkeypox. The National Reference Laboratory (NRL) in Abuja has the capacity to test for cases of Monkeypox with a quick turn-around time.

    “We urge anyone who has fluid-filled body rashes (vesicular rash), enlargement of glands and other symptoms of monkeypox to report to any public health facility near them for proper diagnosis and care.

    “Any healthcare worker that suspects a case of Monkeypox, should reach out to their Local Government Area Disease surveillance and Notification Officers or State Ministry of Health (Epidemiology team) for appropriate guidance and action.

    “Guidelines on the management of Monkeypox cases and outbreaks can be found on the NCDC’s website https://ncdc.gov.ng/themes/common/docs/protocols/96_1577798337.pdf ,” he said.