The Westminster Magistrate’s Court on Thursday remanded Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice in custody and adjourned the case till August 4 after ruling that the alleged organ harvest victim, David Nwamini, is 21 years old.
Nwamini had claimed to be a minor but the defendants’ lawyers argued that the victim lied about his age while the prosecution insisted that he is a minor.
Despite the court’s subsequent ruling that the victim is not a minor, the Ekweremadus will appear at the Central Criminal Court in London on August 4 for the continuation of trial.
Gavin Irwin represented Ekweremadu, while Szilvia Booker represented the wife.
A high-powered delegation led by a former Senate President, David Mark, was in court in solidarity with his erstwhile deputy.
Others were former Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe; former Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba; and Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Adamu Bulkachuwa, and officials of the Nigerian High commission.
Earlier, Ekweremadu’s counsel, Irwin denied any form of exploitation in the case, as he said while giving his opening address, “We deny that there was exploitation or intent to do so.”
The defendants’ lawyers also informed the court of a bail application they intend to file in the first week of August.