Ike Ekweremadu: Nigerian Senator faces London Organ-Harvesting Trial

The Old Bailey will be holding a trial for a prominent Nigerian senator, and his wife, who are accused of plotting the harvesting of a man's kidney in Britain.

Ike Ekweremadu: Nigerian Senator faces London Organ-Harvesting Trial

The Old Bailey will be holding a trial for a prominent Nigerian senator, and his wife, who are accused of plotting the harvesting of a man's kidney in Britain.

Beatrice Nwanneka Ekweremadu (55), and Ike Ekweremadu (60) are accused of having transported a 21 year-old Nigerian man to London.

Prosecutors claim that the couple intended to have their kidneys removed in order to give it to their daughter.

On 4 August, the Ekweremadus will appear again at the Old Bailey.

After undergoing tests at Hampstead's Royal Free Hospital, the alleged victim was said to not have consented to the procedure.

According to some reports, the Ekweremadus used him as a slave before his escape and he went to Staines police station in Surrey.

After arriving from Turkey, the couple was arrested at Heathrow Airport 21 June.

Both appeared in the Westminster Magistrates Court dock earlier this week, following hearings at Uxbridge Magistrates Court last month.

His wife, Mrs. Ekweremadu, is charged with conspiring to arrange or facilitate travel for another person with the view to exploitation.

Although the couple were not asked for pleas, the court found that they had not indicated guilty pleas.

They denied that there was a criminal conspiracy and said no exploitation was reported.

Tan Ikram, Deputy Chief Magistrate, placed them in custody before their next appearance at Old Bailey.

He removed a reporting restriction from the complainant who was described previously as a child.

The nature of the charge means that the complainant can still remain anonymous despite the fact that he is older than 18.

Follow BBC London on Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk