British University Bans Senator Ike Ekweremadu Over ‘Organ Harvesting’ Allegation

The University of Lincoln in the United Kingdom has banned Nigeria’s former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who it recently appointed a visiting professor of Corporate and International Linkages.

Ike Ekweremadu Organ Harvesting Allegation

KanyiDaily recalls that on June 23, the Nigerian lawmaker and his wife, Beatrice Nwanneka, were arrested in London for allegedly trafficking a homeless boy from Lagos into the UK to harvest his organs for their ailing daughter.

The duo, who were arrested for alleged conspiracy to harvest the kidney of 15-year-old Ukpo Nwamini David, are both charged with conspiracy to arrange or facilitate the travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting.

On Thursday, the court heard how Ekweremadu and Beatrice trafficked the 15-year-old boy from Lagos into the UK with passport of a 41-year-old man, to transplant his organs to their daughter who suffers from kidney failure.

The couple were arrested at Heathrow on Tuesday before boarding a flight to Turkey – where it was suggested that the procedure could take place – the court heard.

According to the London Mail, the university’s spokesperson said that 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.

“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.

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

Ekweremadu had, soon after the university appointment two weeks ago, tweeted: “It was a pleasure and an honour to receive a letter of appointment by the University of Lincoln, UK, as Visiting Professor of Corporate and International Linkages.

“I also got a highly treasured gift – a copy of the Magna Carta. It was created in 1215, about 807 years ago.”

KanyiDaily had reported that a letter addressed to the UK Embassy and personally signed by the Senator indicated that the young man was to ‘donate’ a kidney to Ekweremadu’s daughter.

The former Deputy Senate President wrote to the British High Commission in Abuja, on December 28, 2021, 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”.

Although the police had said the donor was 15, data from his international passport and Bank Verification Number (BVN) indicate that Nwamini is actually 21-year-old, having been born on October 12, 2000.

Farouk Kperogi, a Nigerian professor who teaches journalism at the Kennesaw State University in the United States, alleged that Nwamini might have lied to get asylum in the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, the UK court had denied Ike Ekweremadu and his wife Beatrice Nwanneka bail and remanded them in custody until next month over the ‘organ harvesting’ allegation.