Organ harvesting: 15 thing to know about arrested Ike Ekweremadu

Former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice are in the eye of a raging storm having been arrested on Thursday by the UK Police over alleged child trafficking and organ haverst of a child.

Ekweremadu was recently under fire from social media users for saying the South-East region will not vote for the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, in 2023.

1. He has spent over 19 years in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly.
2. He was the Deputy Senate President for three consecutive terms (sixth, seventh and eighth) under David Mark and Bukola Saraki, respectively.
3. In June, he withdrew from the 2023 governorship race in Enugu State after failing to clinch the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
4. Ekweremadu, born on May 12 at Amachara Mpu in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, is also a lawyer and a staunch member of PDP.
5. He holds both Bachelor and Master degrees in law from the University of Nigeria and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1987.
6. He was appointed as the Executive Chairman of Aninri Local Government Council on the platform of the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) in 1997 and won the Best Council Chairman of the year, in 1997.
7. Ekweremadu was appointed Chief of Staff to Enugu in 1999 and served in that capacity till 2001. He was later appointed as Secretary to Enugu State Government in 2001 and served till 2002.
8. He was elected First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament and emerged the Speaker of the regional parliament in August 2011.
9. On February 23, 2019, Ekweremadu was re-elected as senator representing the Enugu West senatorial district for the fifth consecutive time.
10. On August 17, 2019, while attending the Second Annual Cultural Festival and Convention organized by Ndi-Igbo Germany in Nuremberg, Ekweremadu became the victim of a violent attack when members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) stormed the venue of the event and began to question Ekweremadu about the killings of Igbos when the army staged the Operation Crocodile Smile and Python Dance.
11. Ekweremadu has to his credit several awards, honours and traditional titles. He was inducted as a Knight of the Order of the Good Shepherd, Diocese of Enugu (Anglican Communion); Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Africa Leadership Award; Doctor of Laws, LLD,(Honoris Causa), University of Uyo, etc.
12. Traditionally, he has been conferred with the Ochiagha Ndigbo (Generalissimo of Igboland) by Eze Nri, the custodian of Igbo culture and tradition; the Ikeoha Ndigbo (Pride and Strength of Ndigbo) by the South East Council of Traditional Rulers, etc. Ekweremadu holds the national honour of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).
13. Although not much is known about Ekweremadu’s wife, she has kept a silent profile despite her husband’s long stay in politics.
14. Lady Nwanneka’s marriage to Ike is blessed with four children.
15. The couple are in the news especially on the international radar. They have been arrested and charged to court for bringing a child to the UK for organ harvesting.

Confirming the arrests in a statement, the metropolitan police said the pair was charged to court on Thursday following an investigation by the police’ specialist crime team.

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

“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

“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 statement reads.