A woman and a man have been charged with plotting to transport a child from Nigeria to the UK for the purposes of organ harvesting, police have confirmed. Beatrice Ekweremadu, 55, and Ike Ekweremadu, 60, both of Nigeria, were arrested by officers with plotting to bring the child to the UK for exploitation, including organ harvesting.
A child has been safeguarded by police who confirmed they are working with their partners to offer continued support. The Ekweremadus have been remanded in custody and will appear at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court later today.
An investigation was launched by the Metropolitan Police after detectives discovered potential offences under modern slavery legislation in May, report Mirror Online. A spokesperson for the police said: “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.”
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